GE Aerospace to expand Malaysia, Singapore's engine overhaul capacity under US$75m Apac investment

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 3): GE Aerospace, a global jet engine manufacturer, said on Wednesday it will invest over US$75 million (RM347.3 million) across its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and component repair facilities in the Asia-Pacific (Apac) region through end-2025.

Some of the investments will be allocated to Malaysia, its flagship overhaul site in Asia that produces CFM56 engines and CFM LEAP engines under CFM International — a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, the company said in a statement. 

GE Aerospace operates a global installed base of around 49,000 commercial and 29,000 military aircraft engines.

GE Aerospace added that the latest investment will support its expansion of the Malaysian facility’s MRO operations, doubling CFM LEAP engine shop visit capacity within the next three years.

“Cutting-edge equipment and systems, operating at industry-leading safety and quality standards, will be implemented at our new facility. A state-of-the-art engine test facility, using the latest software and hardware, dedicated to LEAP 1A and 1B engines, will also be introduced,” GE Aerospace said.

In parallel, GE Aerospace said it will also channel a significant portion of the funds into Singapore, home to its largest component repair site globally, which manages over 60% of the group’s repair volume, at its Seletar Aerospace Park facility. 

The company said the facility will be transformed into a repair technology research hub, with new capabilities in additive manufacturing, robotics, automation and digitalisation. The upgrade is expected to be completed in 2026.

In addition to the Singapore and Malaysia projects, the GE Aerospace On Wing Support facility in South Korea will also receive funding to upgrade capabilities and technologies, the company added. 

Overall, GE Aerospace said the investments will go towards additional engine test cells, new equipment, and advanced technologies — including AI-enabled inspection techniques — aimed at reducing turnaround times and strengthening component repair capabilities. 

The US$75 million forms part of GE Aerospace’s broader US$1 billion multi-year MRO investment plan, announced in 2024. This builds on the US$45 million spent last year to expand capacity across Apac, a region the company views as central to long-term aviation growth.