The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is experiencing a sharp rise in demand for avionics maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, driven by rapid fleet expansion, military modernisation and the growing complexity of aircraft technology. AMETEK MRO, a leading global provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for commercial, regional, military, and general aviation aircraft, will be in Dubai for the annual MRO Middle East exhibition this week and Ismaël Fadili, VP Sales EMEA explains the drivers behind this growth.
“Airlines across the region particularly low-cost carriers and major network operators are placing record orders for new aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and A350 families. At the same time, many established fleets are undergoing large-scale retrofit programs to upgrade cabins, inflight connectivity and flight-deck systems. These developments are significantly increasing the need for advanced avionics support, placing unprecedented pressure on existing MRO capacity,” Fadili says.
Military aviation is also a major contributor to demand. “Rising defence budgets across the region are funding the acquisition of new aircraft platforms and the modernisation of legacy fleets, both of which rely heavily on sophisticated avionics. As military systems become more digitally integrated and software-driven, they require highly specialised maintenance and repair capabilities and AMETEK MRO businesses, Muirhead Avionics and AvTech, have the expertise to deliver,” he adds. “In fact, Muirhead Avionics is one of the only avionics shops worldwide able to support Recorders, Instrumentation, Radar Systems, Display Units, Control Panels, Navigation/Communication aligned with OEM ARC agreements and licenses.”
Technological evolution is another key factor reshaping the market. New-generation aircraft feature highly integrated avionics, digital flight decks, fly-by-wire controls and advanced navigation and surveillance systems. These systems demand specialised technicians, software engineers and diagnostic tools that go well beyond traditional maintenance skill sets.
Environmental conditions unique to the region further amplify the need for responsive avionics support,” continues Fadili. “High temperatures, sand, dust and humidity accelerate wear and degradation of electronic components, leading to higher failure rates and more frequent maintenance cycles.
“As a result, the region faces several critical challenges. There is intense competition for qualified avionics technicians, systems engineers and software specialists. MRO providers are also under pressure to expand hangar space, test benches and training programs to keep up with fleet growth. At the same time, global supply chain constraints are affecting the availability of key avionics components such as displays, control units and line-replaceable modules.”
These factors are driving a strong push toward building local avionics capabilities and AMETEK MRO is building local partnerships that will benefit from its wealth of expertise. Airlines, defence operators and governments are increasingly focused on developing in-region expertise, facilities and parts availability rather than relying solely on overseas repair shops.
Looking ahead, the outlook for avionics MRO in MENA remains robust. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) MRO market alone is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of around 14.5% between 2025 and 2030. As the region cements its position as a global aviation hub for both commercial and military operations, demand for technologically advanced avionics support will continue to accelerate.
In summary, says Fadili, the MENA aviation boom is creating a sustained and critical need for modern avionics MRO services, supported by skilled personnel, strong infrastructure and resilient supply chains. “This is making avionics one of the fastest-growing and most strategically important segments of the region’s aerospace ecosystem.”
