INGENIEUR
USD8.1 trillion a year ago. The commercial aircraft
sector is buoyed by an aircraft order backlog that
remains at an all-time high of more than 14,000
planes in 2019.
The BMO includes a USD3.1 trillion projected
demand for commercial airplanes through 2028
as operators replace older jets with more capable
and fuel-efficient models, and expand their fleets
to accommodate the steady rise in air travel
across emerging and established markets.
The BMO also projects USD2.5 trillion of
defence and space opportunities during the
next decade as Governments modernise military
platforms and systems, pursue new technologies
and capabilities and accelerate exploration from
sea to space. The projected spending – spanning
military aircraft, autonomous systems, satellites,
spacecraft and other products – continues to
be global in nature with 40% of expenditures
expected to originate outside of the United States.
BMO also unveiled a longer-term forecast that
delves deeper into the market for commercial
airplanes and services. The newest forecast shows
growing passenger volumes and increasing airplane
retirements will drive the need for 44,040 new jets,
valued at USD6.8 trillion over the next two decades.
The helicopter market is also expanding with an
expected demand of more than 22,000 helicopters
over the same number of years. The global
commercial airplane fleet will also sustain the
need for aviation services valued at USD9.1 trillion,
leading to a total commercial market opportunity of
USD16 trillion through 2038.
Airbus estimates that over the next 20 years,
the maintenance, repair and operations sector will
be worth USD120 billion annually. The knock-on
effect means the aviation industry will need an
extra 548,000 technicians. Boeing predicts more
than 640,000 will be needed.
Based on the various reports, the projected
market expansion of aerospace and defence
spending is likely to increase, giving rise to
opportunities for the aerospace industry
worldwide. Malaysia should take this opportunity
to expand its existing aerospace industry players
and products. Figure 1 shows the 2017 standing of
countries that are involved in aerospace industry.
Malaysia is on the chart, thanks in part to
an agreement signed between the Malaysian
Government and British Aerospace Engineering
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(BAE) Systems PLC in 1990 (SME Aerospace,
2019), which initiated the Aerospace Industry in
Malaysia.
Malaysia should heed and take advantage of
the trends in aerospace engineering predicted
by many in the industry. The A&D industry trends
initiating this change are driven by social, political
and technological shifts — such as environmental
regulations, rising fuel costs and advances in
batteries, sensors and connectivity. These shifts
are all leading to the development of autonomous,
efficient and more electric aircraft.
The trends in aerospace engineering and
industry are as follows:
1. Stronger focus on the Asia-Pacific region
and developing closer engagements with
the A&D supply chain;
2. Light weight composite materials to
increase efficiency;
3. Autonomous Flight Systems;
4. Flying commuters, not just cars but other
means of transport;
5. Craft to craft communication;
6. Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) technology;
7. Focus on artificial intelligence (AI),
augmented by virtual reality (AR/VR), data
analytics, advanced sensors and Internet
of Things (IoT);
8. Modernisation of old systems with a focus
on the size, weight, power concepts; and
9. Steady implementation of More-Electric
Aircraft (MEA) leading to an incremental,
but not immediate transition towards the
All-Electric Aircraft (AEA).
MALAYSIAN AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
Malaysia has come a long way in becoming a
significant player in the global aerospace industry.
The Malaysian Aerospace Manufacturing Industry
initiative began in 1990, when the Malaysian
Government decided to procure 28 BAE Hawk
aircraft. Part of the contract was a technology
transfer programme to manufacture aircraft
parts and assemblies in Malaysia. As a result,
SME Aerospace was established in 1992 to
manufacture the Hawk pylon and the aerostructure
of the MD3 Aero Tiga aircraft as the launch
programme for the Aerospace Manufacturing