AIROD Sdn Bhd

In 1976, the Malaysian government recognized the need to support the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) with dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for its aircraft, associated engines, aero components, and avionics. This led to the establishment of AIROD Sdn Bhd (AIROD), a specialized MRO services provider for military and commercial aircraft. The firm offers expertise in aircraft maintenance, engine MRO, and avionics component repair and overhaul.

“Our mission at AIROD is to deliver comprehensive MRO solutions, such as restoring aging aircraft and providing timely upgrades,” states Firhad Uzir bin Datuk Abdul Rahim - Vice President of Aerospace at National Aerospace and Defense Industries (NADI) which is the parent company of AIROD Sdn Bhd.

However, AIROD’s transition into a major player began in the 1980s when the U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Systems International (LASI) enrolled in the AIROD journey. LASI collaborated with Aerospace Industries Malaysia (AIM), now National Aerospace and Defense Industries Sdn Bhd (NADI), to incorporate AIROD in a joint venture project, laying the groundwork for its future success. During this transformative decade, AIROD underwent privatization, and by 1985, it achieved a global breakthrough, becoming an authorized Hercules Service Center (HSC) for the Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft.

Today, AIROD offers a wide range of internationally certified aviation services for various types of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, including transport, training, and VVIP variants. Its main expertise is in the maintenance of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft, which involves minor to major depot-level services including modifications and upgrades such as fuselage stretch modification, in-flight refueling tanker conversion, total aircraft rewiring, center wing box replacement, and avionics modernization.

AIROD also provides line and depot level maintenance services at AIROD and the customer’s location for the trainer and rotary wing aircrafts such as the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II and the Kazan Mi-17 and Ulan Ude Mi-171 and for the VVIP fleet fixed and rotary wing aircraft, such as the Dassault Falcon, Bombardier Global Express and the Sikorsky S70A Blackhawk, AIROD performs both line and depot level maintenance.

AIROD’s prominence in the aerospace and defense sector can be attributed to a combination of strategic factors that precede its services. One of them is its location in Subang, a city in close proximity to the urban center of Kuala Lumpur, which plays a pivotal role in boosting operational efficiency by being close to the Malaysian aviation ecosystem. This further secures its position as a preferred partner for international customers in numerous countries that use the C-130, including the U.S., Bangladesh, Ecuador, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines to name a few.

The firm’s reputation has been strengthened by approvals from various local aviation authorities, including the Directorate General Technical Airworthiness (DGTA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) as well as international aviation authorities such as Uganda and Papua New Guinea. These accreditations, along with the calibration capabilities enabled by its SAMM-approved Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) and a highly qualified workforce, highlight its commitment to delivering top-of-the-line in-house services.

Featuring a team of 450 professionals with backgrounds in various aerospace and defense organizations, AIROD places great importance on employee qualifications. Each team member brings at least 15 years of experience, aligning perfectly with the company’s objectives.

AIROD’s track record of client success stories showcases its expertise and problem-solving capabilities. In one instance, it took on the challenge of repairing an aircraft that had sustained significant structural damage from colliding with a hangar door. While the OEM Lockheed Martin considered declaring the aircraft as beyond repair, AIROD stepped up to the challenge of restoring it with the collaboration of its customer and the OEM. Exhibiting its proficiency in solving the task at hand, it successfully brought the plane back to its original condition, regaining airworthiness approval.

Another notable case involves C-130 center wing box replacements, which is a mandatory requirement once the aircraft reaches a set number of flying hours. AIROD’s innovative approach of refurbishing used center wing boxes extended the aircraft fuselages’ operational life, all while being cost-effective as opposed to buying a new aircraft as a replacement. Its Field Service Team (FST) conducts worldwide C-130/L100 aircraft recoveries. The services provided are aircraft damage evaluation, system malfunctions evaluation, recovery, field repairs, and modifications. Previous locations where services were provided include countries such as Japan, Ecuador, Afghanistan, Botswana, Mali, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.

From its role as an authorized C-130 HSC to its proficiency in recovering and maintaining legacy aircraft, AIROD has consistently emerged as a trailblazer in the aerospace and defense sector. Looking into the future, the firm has ambitious goals, aspiring to become a global leader in the MRO industry by 2040. It also seeks to introduce innovations and capability, including the full Collins Aerospace NP2000 Propeller System upgrade, Electronic Propeller Control System (EPCS), and the Rolls Royce T56 3.5 engine upgrade, enhancing its C-130 service catalog and reinforcing its position as an industry leader.