- AOI and Safran sign agreement for Larzac engines’ maintenance in Egypt
September 03 2024 13:49:27 UTC–During the Egypt International Airshow, the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) achieved a significant milestone by receiving a supplier certificate from the French aircraft engine manufacturer Safran Aircraft Engines
This certification follows a cooperation agreement signed in December 2023, focused on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the Larzac engine. The Larzac engine’s durability, reliability, and ease of maintenance have made it a long-standing choice for military training aircraft, ensuring its continued use and support in various air forces worldwide.
The agreement mentioned includes support for a global fleet of up to 280 Larzac engines, highlighting the engine’s continued relevance in the aerospace sector, despite its initial development several decades ago.
The Larzac engine is a small, turbofan engine developed by the French company Turboméca (now part of Safran Aircraft Engines) in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was specifically designed for light military aircraft, particularly for training and light attack roles.
With this certification, AOI is now globally authorized to support the engines of the Alpha Jet training and light attack aircraft. The work will be conducted at a new engine shop in Helwan, Egypt, employing 30 skilled workers. Following successful audits by Safran Aircraft Engines, AOI has been granted a 10-year license to perform repair and overhaul operations for all export customers of the Larzac engine, covering a fleet of up to 280 engines worldwide.
Given the widespread use of the Alpha Jet, particularly in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, maintaining the Larzac engines is crucial.
The certification granted to the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) allows them to perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations on these engines, ensuring their continued serviceability in the global fleet.