GKN Aerospace has signed a framework agreement with COMAC subsidiary SAMC (Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company) and AVIC International (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) to establish a joint venture for aerostructures manufacturing in China.

The agreement, which was signed at the Zhuhai Air Show, follows an earlier MoU, concluded in September 2017.

The joint venture — GKN Aerospace’s first aerostructures venture in the Asian-Pacific region — is scheduled to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2021 in a new state-of-the-art facility. Locations are currently being evaluated.

The facility will manufacture metallic and composite products for the civil aerospace market. After the start-up period the scope of the joint venture will be extended to include design and development capability.

GKN Aerospace sees expansion to Asia as an important part of its long-term growth strategy and global operating model. This summer GKN Aerospace announced a new wiring systems plant in Pune, India and in October GKN Aerospace officially opened a new aero-engine repair and research plant in Johor, Malaysia.

The company now operates seven facilities in Asia, delivering wiring systems, transparencies and services in China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey.