France-based aerospace firm Safran Landing Systems has invested a combined €136 million ($152 million) to expand its carbon brake manufacturing and refurbishment facility in Sendayan and establish a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center in Nilai, as it seeks to meet growing demand from about 100 airline operators across the Asia-Pacific region.
The firm said in a statement on Wednesday that it inaugurated the expansion of its manufacturing and heat sink refurbishment facility in Sendayan, along with a new carbon brake Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center in Nilai. These complementary investments will help meet the growing needs of about 100 airline operators in Asia-Pacific, supporting fleets of Airbus (A320, A321, A350), Boeing (737, 777, 787) and ATR aircraft.
The €134 million expansion of the Sendayan facility adds 7,000 square meters of advanced manufacturing space, including a new textile line, carbonization furnaces and state-of-the-art machining equipment. The site, which currently employs 160 people, will double its carbon brake disc production capacity by 2028.
The new 1,000 square meter MRO center in Nilai represents an investment of €2 million. It is strategically located close to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and 20 kilometers from Sendayan, which supplies it with new and refurbished carbon brake discs.
“Malaysia plays a strategic role in Safran Landing Systems’ global industrial footprint. Our investments in Sendayan and Nilai, combined with our local MRO partner network, reflect our commitment to supporting Asia Pacific’s long-term aviation growth by providing faster end-to-end wheels & brakes services, closer to our customers. They also demonstrate our dedication to developing local talent and reducing our environmental footprint,” said François Bastin, Safran Landing Systems Chief Executive Officer.
Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), said Safran has been present in Malaysia for more than 50 years, and the relationship has moved from supply and service into manufacturing, and now into maintenance, repair and overhaul.
“Expanding an existing plant and opening a new one in the same year is a strong confidence in Malaysia. These investments will create long-term value, develop high-skilled employment and further strengthen Malaysia’s aerospace capabilities,” he added.
To support this ramp-up, Safran Landing Systems plans to increase its workforce in Malaysia to 220 employees by 2030 across its industrial and MRO operations. This expansion will further strengthen the group’s capabilities in manufacturing, maintenance and customer support, while developing local skills and expertise.
Reflecting Safran’s environmental commitments, the Sendayan site has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent between 2018 and 2025, by using low-carbon local energy sources and recovering process gases. By 2030, additional sustainable energy capacity will further lower the site’s emissions.
These investments are part of Safran Landing Systems’ broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Asia-Pacific, as illustrated by the expansion of its Singapore landing gear MRO facility, inaugurated in September 2026.
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