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ST Engineering raises capacity for aircraft engine maintenance and repairs in aerospace hub boost

ST Engineering has inaugurated a new facility in Paya Lebar dedicated to aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, with the aim of strengthening Singapore’s position as a major aviation hub.

Officially opened on 15 September by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, the 10,000-square-metre facility represents investments of several million dollars and incorporates cutting-edge technologies, including artificial-intelligence-driven robots and automated systems designed to improve operational efficiency.

The expansion will gradually double the annual maintenance capacity for CFM56 and LEAP engines—used on Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft—to more than 300 engines by 2027. Combined with the Xiamen site in China, total capacity will exceed 400 engines per year.

The facility will create more than 300 skilled jobs in Singapore. Technicians will be trained to use new tools that enhance safety and productivity. For example, a robotic arm can replace fan case seals in just a few hours, a task that previously took seven days when performed manually. Similarly, an AI system reduces parts identification time from 32 hours to eight.

According to Jeffrey Lam, President of the Commercial Aerospace division, the expansion reflects the company’s determination to anticipate growing demand, particularly with the entry into service of next-generation engines.

The Economic Development Board (EDB) highlighted that this development reinforces Singapore’s role as an aviation hub in Asia, where the country already accounts for 10% of the global MRO market. The sector is also a key pillar of the “Manufacturing 2030” strategy, which aims to increase industrial value added by 50% by 2030.

Globally, the MRO market is expected to reach around €111 billion in 2025 and €145 billion by 2035, driven by fleet growth and an increase in flight hours.