The expansion will increase the facility's footprint to 164,000 square feet from 46,000 square feet and support maintenance work for advanced air management systems used in commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 787, Boeing 777 and Airbus A380.
This expanded facility is a direct contribution to Malaysia's aviation ambition, Loke said in his speech at the Collins Aerospace MRO expansion launch at Subang Aerotech Park on Tuesday.
"Collins Aerospace has been part of the region's aerospace story for over 50 years. What we are witnessing today is not a new relationship, but a deepening one.
"You can count on Malaysia," Loke said, adding that Malaysia intends to remain a stable and dependable base for aerospace operations as the industry continues to evolve.
Collins Aerospace currently employs about 150 workers at the Subang facility. With the expansion, its workforce is expected to increase by 30 to 50 per cent over the next five to 10 years, creating a pipeline of high-skilled, technically intensive jobs in aerospace maintenance and engineering.
Irene Makris, president of power and controls at Collins Aerospace, said the Asia Pacific region remained a key growth market for the company.
"Malaysia offers the right environment for us to scale, and we are planning to double employment opportunities for skilled talent in the region to keep pace with growing demand. The Subang expansion optimises operations and regional support for our customers, providing faster turnaround times and more efficient service," she said at the launch on Tuesday.
The transition to the upgraded facility is expected to be completed by year-end, enabling Collins Aerospace to support rising regional fleet demand, with MRO needs forecast to double over the next two decades.
The facility will add advanced MRO capabilities for components such as air cycle machines, heat exchangers, valves and next-generation starters, while incorporating technologies including autonomous mobile robots, real-time location systems and digital monitoring tools to improve productivity.
Designed for long-term operational resilience, the facility features a smart building management system that monitors and optimises resource and utility consumption.
