FDH Aero has deepened its collaboration with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The company has signed a strategic partnership agreement with COMAC and a long-term contract with its subsidiary, Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing (SAMC), to support the development of the C919 passenger jet.
Building on its existing role as a distributor of supply chain solutions for the C919, FDH will now provide a wider range of services. These include engineering management, strategic value-added services, and the supply of hardware, electrical, and chemical products. The expanded partnership underscores FDH Aero’s commitment to supporting the growth of the Chinese aerospace industry.
The COMAC C919 is a narrow-body, twin-engine commercial airliner developed by COMAC. Deliveries of the C919 began in December 2022. Launch customer China Eastern Airlines put the aircraft, which seats 164 passengers in a dual-class layout, into commercial service in May 2023. Both Airbus and Boeing project that China will account for around 20 percent of demand for new narrowbody airliner deliveries over the next 20 years, and the C919 has the home-field advantage in the narrowbody segment. The C919 has amassed orders of more than 1,000 aircrafts and provides China with a domestically produced alternative to Western single-aisle jets.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems.
For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
