GKN Aerospace, SAMC, and AVIC Signs Aerostructure Deal

GKN Aerospace, Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co. (SAMC), and Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) have signed a framework agreement to establish a joint venture for aerostructures manufacturing in China, further solidifying an MOU signed in September 2017.

The tripartite venture is studying a feasible site for a manufacturing facility, which aims to start operation in the fourth quarter of 2021. It will manufacture advanced metallic and composite aerostructures products for the civil aerospace market, and GKN Aerospace told AIN that it would be for both widebody and narrowbody aircraft.

SAMC is the subsidiary of Comac, which is responsible for the C919 and C929 commercial aircraft. This is also GKN Aerospace first aerostructure investment in China and the Asia Pacific region as a whole. The company already has a footprint in India, Singapore, Thailand, and Turkey and in October opened an aero-engine repair and research plant in Johor, Malaysia.