An Iranian knowledge-based company has indigenized aviation technologies for conducting repairs and supplying devices to support domestic aviation industries amid US unilateral sanctions.
Called Simorgh Aviation Maintenance of Iran (Samir), the company started developing components for the maintenance and overhaul of aircrafts in 2016 in Garmdarreh district, southwest of Tehran, the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology reported on its website.
On Saturday, Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari visited different sections of the company and reviewed the firm’s accomplishments.
By gaining expertise over the past few years, Samir has steadily expanded its activities from general maintenance of planes and helicopters to repairing a variety of hydraulic, pneumatic, avionic and electric components, plus safety equipment, batteries and wheel brake system.
Samir is the first Iranian aviation unit to have established separate overhaul labs for pneumatic and hydraulic components, the company said. In these laboratories, technicians test Skydrol 500B-4 fire-resistant aviation hydraulic fluid and repair evacuation slides, life vests, capsule-type fire extinguishers, emergency oxygen system and brake system components.
During his visit, Sattari said, “Since the US sanctions were reimposed on Iran in the summer of 2018, foreign suppliers of special machinery for repairing aircraft equipment cut their transactions with us. Samir Company has hopefully compensated the shortfall and indigenized over 80% of their required equipment.”
He acknowledged the company’s efforts in gathering talented youth and using their potentials in applying modern technology, as he recommended other domestic industries and leading producers in different fields to also forge ties with tech and knowledge-based firms.
“Such collaborations can boost local production and propel the country toward self-sufficiency,” he said, calling on the government to extend resources for the growing number of tech firms working in aviation industries.
Earlier Investments
To support the tech ecosystem and inject technology into the aviation industries, Iran's private and public aviation firms and agencies started an initiative last year.
They signed 163 agreements worth 6 trillion rials ($25.6 million) with local knowledge-based companies and startups during a two-day technology event held on Dec. 3-4, 2019.
The event was aimed at employing smart solutions in strengthening the domestic aviation sector.
The tech gathering was organized by two state-backed organizations in Tehran, namely Iran National Innovation Fund and the Center for Progress and Development of Iran.
Siavash Malekifar, INIF's deputy for development, said the event hosted over 280 knowledge-based companies and startups, and concluded with constructive agreements with aviation industry players during 185 business-to-business meetings.
“Representatives from airport companies and related organizations, including Payam International Airport, Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, Iran Meteorological Organization, Imam Khomeini Airport City Company and Iran Airports Company, outlined 65 technological demands of the sector,” he said.
"Knowledge-based firms, which attended the event, had an opportunity to introduce their field of activity, potentials and attainments, for attracting local aviation giants."
Malekifar appreciated the unprecedented reception extended by the general public and said the participation of over 500 enthusiasts in the tech event was amazing.
He expects the gathering to have helped establish stronger ties between the fledgling innovative companies and industry insiders.
In September 2019, a domestic knowledge-based company signed cooperation deals worth 600 billion rials ($2.5 million) with several Iranian companies active in the field of aviation industry.
During a tech event held by Iran National Innovation Fund in Tehran, Servo Hydraulic Pooya Company (aka ServoHyd), affiliated with Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, and signed numerous deals with local aviation firms.
According to ServoHyd Managing Director Mohammad Mehdi Izadpanah, the deals pertain to the sale, repair, design and production of parts and equipment related to aircraft, including fuel nozzles, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, as well as piston engines.
"As per the deals, we are set to offer training to employees of Iranian companies in the fields of standardization and reverse engineering techniques," he said.
“The agreements are expected to create some 60 job opportunities for professional experts in the aviation field.”
Support From Alborz
In July 2020, Payam Special Economic Zone and Payam International Airport in Karaj, the central city of Alborz Province, started to incorporate modern technology in their operations.
Nader Sanagou, the head of Payam SEZ, said efforts are being made to host and support startups and knowledge-based companies active in the aviation industries as well as information and communications technologies in the zone, the zone’s Public Relations Office reported.
“The SEZ has attracted over 10 trillion rials [$42.7 million] of domestic and foreign investments in the last Iranian year [ended March 19, 2020], which lent a driving force for realizing the goal,” he said.
The head of Payam SEZ said short-term plans envisage the launch of 12 tech firms in the zone.
“We expect the zone’s development to create over 2,000 jobs by the Iranian yearend [March 20],” he said, adding that the figure is expected to reach 10,000 within a five-year framework.
