For aerospace giants, Singapore’s local enterprises are trusted partners in manufacturing and innovation

Trade associations and chambers, like the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) (AAIS), play an integral role in building Singapore’s aerospace ecosystem, connecting Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) providers, local enterprises, research institutions and government agencies to collectively strengthen Singapore's aerospace value chain.

AAIS has also been at the forefront of nurturing closer ties between Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and local enterprises. Hear from its Chief Executive Chew Hwee Yong on how global aerospace companies can count on a trusted pool of Singapore enterprises for manufacturing, R&D and access to growth markets across Asia.

Where do the most meaningful partnership opportunities between MNCs and local enterprises lie today?

One key area is supply chain resilience. Amid global fragmentation, aerospace businesses are looking to diversify and strengthen their supply chains, and local enterprises play an important role in supporting more responsive and reliable operations.

Another area is technology and capability development. Many Singapore SMEs have niche technical know-how in advanced technologies and specialised areas such as AI-enabled solutions, additive manufacturing, advanced remanufacturing and aviation circularity. Partnerships allow MNCs and local enterprises to co-develop solutions, build expertise, attain international accreditations and customise solutions to customer needs.

For instance, the WAAM solution¹ developed by Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC)² and subsequently industrialised by Mencast for Rolls-Royce is a strong example of this kind of capability partnership in action.

We also see growing opportunities in emerging sectors such as unmanned aircraft systems, air traffic management and unmanned traffic management, space technologies and advanced communications and data services — areas where local enterprises contribute specialised expertise and can help position global MNCs for the next phase of growth.

What do local enterprises in Singapore bring to the table, aside from cost savings or proximity, that MNCs increasingly cannot afford to overlook?

Singapore's local enterprises are not just suppliers — they are capability partners and in-market experts.

They operate within a stable business environment, supported by strong industry standards, a skilled workforce and clear regulatory frameworks. Many have demonstrated a willingness to invest in the certifications, processes and capabilities required by global aerospace customers.

Importantly, collaboration is supported by a robust ecosystem of industry associations, trade chambers and government programmes. AAIS helps new companies get plugged in quickly, while initiatives like the Partnerships for Capability Transformation (PACT) scheme incentivise MNC-SME partnerships by funding training, capital investments and capability transfer — accelerating SME transformation and giving MNCs confidence that local partners can support both immediate operational needs and longer-term growth plans.

Singapore has long positioned itself as a leading MRO and aerospace hub in Asia. What makes Singapore's local enterprise ecosystem particularly well-suited to supporting the needs of global aerospace OEMs and MRO operators today?

Our local enterprises have grown alongside the world's leading aerospace OEMs and MROs. They understand the industry's expectations around quality, safety, operations and service reliability. They are agile and able to communicate and work closely with MNC partners to achieve fast turnaround times, which is particularly important for MRO.

There is also a strong culture of innovation and continuous improvement. As the industry adopts new technologies and operating models, local enterprises have been upgrading their capabilities in tandem.

Underpinning this is a sustained commitment to manpower development. Our enterprises work closely with government agencies and educational, and training institutions to keep training pathways relevant, equipping the workforce with the skills the industry needs today and will need tomorrow. This ongoing investment in talent helps build a pipeline that can grow alongside the ecosystem's evolving technical demands.Beyond technical capability, what makes Singapore unique is the connectivity within and beyond the ecosystem. Aerospace companies here operate within a close-knit community where leaders of OEMs, MRO providers, suppliers, research institutions and government agencies regularly interact. It is relatively easy to get the right people around the table and have meaningful conversations. This makes it easier to identify partners, solve challenges and develop new capabilities together.

What would you say to an MNC that has not yet explored what Singapore's local enterprise base has to offer?

Singapore's aerospace ecosystem is deeper and more diverse than many companies realise.

Many companies begin by looking for a supplier and end up finding collaborators, technology partners, market insights or entirely new opportunities. Very often, potential partners, suppliers and capabilities can be identified through conversations with industry stakeholders and organisations such as AAIS. Beyond sourcing, there's room for deeper co-ideation — partners working with local enterprises to adapt existing solutions for emerging problems, or tweak proven capabilities to enter new domains and apply to new use cases.

For a Singapore enterprise considering approaching an aerospace MNC as a potential partner for the first time, what advice would you give?

First, understand the customer. Beyond products and services, aerospace companies place significant emphasis on quality systems, certifications and compliance, and the ability to deliver effectively and consistently.

Second, put yourself out there. Participate actively in industry events, trade shows, business missions and networking platforms. Visibility matters, and so does diligence in scoping the ground.

Finally, be prepared to grow with the opportunity.

At AAIS, supplier development has long been a key focus. We support companies at different stages of growth — from nurturing the next generation of aerospace enterprise leaders through initiatives such as the Promising Entrepreneurs Programme, to facilitating industry innovation through platforms such as the Aerospace Open Innovation Challenge. More recently, we launched Aerospace Suppliers Day at Singapore Airshow 2026 to create additional pathways for engagement between OEMs, larger aerospace companies and local SMEs.

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Footnote:

¹ WAAM stands for Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing a process that uses an electric arc to melt metal wire and rebuild worn surfaces layer by layer.

² The ARTC is led by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), in partnership with the Nanyang Technological University