Cobra Aeronautics

What Cobra Aeronautics does

Cobra Aeronautics is a Madrid-headquartered aviation engineering and MRO company, wholly owned by Grupo Cobra within the ACS Group, that designs and manufactures bespoke test benches for aircraft engines and components and delivers maintenance, repair, and overhaul services across civil and defense aviation. Its core products include engine test benches for turboprop, turbofan, turbojet, and turboshaft engines plus APU/AMAD systems, pneumatic and hydraulic component test benches, portable test equipment for cockpit instruments, and UAV avionics control units. The company operates the INTA turboprop test bench (described as the largest in Spain and one of the largest in the world) and maintains more than ten active engine test bench installations across Spanish Air Force bases at Zaragoza, Salamanca, Albacete, Talavera de la Reina, Gando, Torrejón, Rota, and Sevilla.

Cobra Aeronautics makes money through a mix of long-cycle B2B contracts: design and manufacture of test benches and bespoke test systems (Spanish Air Force, Spanish Navy, INTA, ITP, Airbus Defence & Space, CESA); GSE fleet maintenance under PBH (power by the hour) and weighted-aircraft contracts (Iberia Airport Services, Aeroméxico Servicios, Serpista, Goldair Handling); EASA Part 145 line and heavy interior maintenance (Iberia Mantenimiento, Vueling); AGE management and ENAC ISO 17025-accredited calibration; GSE rebuilding and hybrid-to-electric vehicle retrofit (EMT Madrid); and aircraft painting support. Customer concentration is anchored in Spanish defense and a handful of European/Latin American airlines and handling companies, with the operating perimeter extended through subsidiaries ASON, Serpista, TAS, AMLS, Gercobra, and Cobra Bulgaria and channel partners in Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Italy, and Mexico.

The go-to-market is enterprise field sales with multi-year service agreements, no public pricing, and revenue generated from contracts rather than transactional sales. The company is EASA Part 145, EN 9100, ISO 9001, ISO 17025, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, EMAS, and ISO 45001 certified, and since August 2023 has operated under a Corporate Compliance Program aligned with VINCI standards. Disclosed revenue is approximately €40 million with a stated workforce of around 400 people.

Name

Cobra Aeronautics

Legal name

Cobra Aeronautics

Website

https://cobra-aeronautics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cobra Aeronautics designs and manufactures bespoke aircraft engine and component test benches and delivers civil and defense MRO, GSE fleet management, and ENAC-accredited calibration services to airlines, defense organizations, and airport operators across more than 10 countries as a subsidiary of Grupo Cobra.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation MRO and Test Equipment

NAICS

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL), NDT/Inspection & Testing Services (Aviation) (IMABALAJ), Propulsion Test, Integration & Certification Services (IMABADAN)

Keywords

• Aircraft MRO services
• Engine test bench manufacturing
• Ground support equipment maintenance
• Military aviation test equipment
• PBH fleet maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. MRO Services (Line and Heavy Maintenance): Aircraft line maintenance, heavy interior maintenance (C, D, I/L checks), aircraft painting support, and in-cabin modifications for airlines. Provided to airlines such as Iberia Mantenimiento, Vueling, and British Aerospace.
2. GSE Fleet Maintenance: Comprehensive maintenance of ground support equipment (GSE) fleets under PBH (power by the hour) or per-aircraft models. Covers preventive, corrective, seasonal, and 24h workshop maintenance across major airports. Revenue derived from long-term service contracts with airport operators and handling companies.
3. Test Bench Design, Manufacturing and Maintenance: Design, manufacture, installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance of engine test benches and component test systems for civil and military aviation customers (Spanish Air Force, INTA, ITP, Airbus Defence & Space).
4. AGE Management and Calibration: Integral management of aircraft ground equipment (AGE) including preventive maintenance, testing, calibration, and repair. Includes ISO 17025-accredited calibration services for electrical, pressure, torque and force instruments.
5. GSE Rebuilding and Retrofit: Restoration, rebuilding, and modernization of GSE equipment and hybrid-to-electric vehicle retrofitting (e.g., electric bus conversion for EMT Madrid).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Cobra Aeronautics designs, manufactures and maintains test benches for aircraft engines (turboprop, turbofan, turbojet, turboshaft) and APU/AMAD systems, and provides pneumatic/hydraulic component test benches and portable test equipment. It delivers aircraft line and heavy maintenance (C, D, I/L checks under EASA Part 145), interior cabin refurbishment and painting support, integrated Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Aircraft Ground Equipment (AGE) fleet maintenance under PBH (power by the hour) contracts, GSE rebuilding and hybrid-to-electric retrofit, and ENAC ISO 17025-accredited calibration services. Customers include airlines, ground handlers, airports, aerospace OEMs and defense institutions such as the Spanish Air Force, Spanish Navy, INTA, ITP and Airbus Defence & Space.

Product overview

Cobra Aeronautics operates as a comprehensive aviation services company offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services for the civil and defense aviation sectors. The core offerings include: (1) Design, Manufacturing and Maintenance of Test Benches for engines and components (engine test benches, pneumatic/hydraulic test benches); (2) Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Aircraft Ground Equipment (AGE) maintenance services including PBH (power by the hour) fleet management; (3) Aircraft line maintenance, heavy maintenance (C, D, I/L checks), and interior cabin services; (4) Portable test equipment for on-aircraft verification; (5) UAV avionics control units; (6) GSE rebuilding and retrofit services (including hybrid-to-electric bus conversion); (7) Calibration services (ENAC accredited for electricity, pressure, torque/force); and (8) Aircraft painting support. Subsidiary brands include ASON (aeronautical electronics), Serpista (GSE maintenance), TAS (Total Aviation Services), and AMLS (Aircraft Maintenance & Line Solutions).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Engine Test Benches (Banco de Motores) Design, manufacture and maintenance of test benches for aircraft engines (turboprop, turbofan, turbojet, turboshaft) and APU/AMAD systems, including integrated test cell subsystems such as cooling, fuel/water/pressure/air supply, and data acquisition and control systems. Targeted at military air forces, aerospace OEMs and engine manufacturers.
• Pneumatic and Hydraulic Test Benches Design, manufacture and maintenance of test benches for pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical components, fuel systems and batteries, including test cell infrastructure and data acquisition/control systems. Targeted at civil and military aviation operators and OEMs.
• Portable Test Equipment Portable test equipment for verification of cockpit instruments, thrust reversers and aeronautical components either at the aircraft-side or in instrumentation workshops. Targeted at airlines, MRO centers and defense operators.
• UAV Avionics Control Unit Auxiliary avionics unit for unmanned aerial target (UAV) aircraft applications. Targeted at defense customers operating aerial target systems.
• GSE Fleet Maintenance (PBH) Comprehensive maintenance of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) fleets under PBH (power by the hour) or weighted aircraft models, including preventive/corrective maintenance, 24h workshop vehicle support, seasonal maintenance, and lifecycle management. Targeted at airport operators, ground handling companies and airlines.
• GSE Rebuilding Restoration and modernization of Ground Support Equipment including engine replacement, electrical rewiring, hydraulic/pneumatic component renewal, structural repairs, and repainting to meet new emissions regulations and technology upgrades. Targeted at airports and ground handlers operating aging GSE fleets.
• Hybrid-to-Electric Bus Retrofit Conversion of hybrid or internal-combustion buses to 100% electric propulsion, integrating lithium-ion batteries and inductive charging between route endpoints. Targeted at urban transport operators seeking fleet electrification.
• Aircraft Line Maintenance Seasonal line maintenance and interior cabin refurbishment for commercial airlines, including seat mechanical repairs, cover and carpet replacement, and minor modifications. Targeted at airlines (Iberia, Vueling, British Aerospace) on seasonal or campaign basis.
• Aircraft Heavy Maintenance Heavy interior aircraft maintenance (C, D, I/L checks) covering cabin, cockpit, cargo hold, fuselage, wings and pylons, performed under EASA Part 145 procedures. Targeted at airlines and military operators requiring heavy check intervals.
• Aircraft Painting Support Preparation activities for aircraft painting campaigns, including masking, stripping, sanding and decal/sticker removal. Targeted at airlines and MRO centers undertaking repainting programs.
• AGE Maintenance Management Comprehensive management of Aircraft Ground Equipment (AGE) including preventive maintenance, load testing, calibration and repairs. Delivered under ISO 17025 and EN 9100 frameworks. Targeted at defense MRO programs, including the Airbus A400M program for multiple national air forces.
• ENAC ISO 17025 Calibration Services ENAC-accredited calibration of electrical, pressure, torque and force measurement equipment under ISO 17025. Targeted at aviation operators, MRO centers and industrial customers requiring traceable measurement assurance.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3,000 motorised GSE units and 5,000+ non-motorised units maintained under PBH contracts
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• ASON (Ason Electrónica Aeronáutica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASON is a core group company specializing in electronic systems for aerospace applications. It was incorporated into Grupo COBRA and operates as a key entity within the Cobra Aeronautics division, responsible for test bench data acquisition systems, electronic controls, and avionics integration including UAV control units and APU/AMAD systems.
• SerpistacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSerpista is a group company and the leading GSE maintenance company in Spain, maintaining over 3,000 motorised and 5,000 non-motorised equipment units across 20 major Spanish airports. It operates PBH (power by the hour) contracts and provides comprehensive fleet management. It joined the Cobra Aeronautics division.
• TAS (Total Aviation Services S.L.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAS provides airport ground support services including baggage handling system maintenance, boarding bridge operation, runway lighting, and power plant maintenance. It is a group company operating within the Cobra Aeronautics portfolio.
• AMLS (Aircraft Maintenance & Line Solutions S.L.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMLS provides aircraft line maintenance and support solutions, operating as a group company under Cobra Aeronautics for line maintenance services to airlines.
• GercobracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGercobra is a group company created as part of the Cobra Aeronautics structure, complementing the group's aviation maintenance and equipment capabilities.
• GSAMS / Al Amad GSE (Saudi Arabia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership with local Saudi partner GSAMS and Al Amad GSE for GSE maintenance operations in Saudi Arabia, with expansion planned to Riyadh, Dammam, and Medina.
• Goldair Handling (Bulgaria)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Goldair Handling at Sofía Airport for GSE maintenance services including fire trucks, fuel trucks, and snow removal equipment.
• VINCIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCobra Aeronautics is adhered to VINCI's corporate norms including the Code of Ethics and Conduct, Anti-Corruption Code of Conduct, Human Rights Guide, Health and Safety Declaration, and Environmental Guidelines. This provides the compliance framework and corporate governance standards.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AFI KLM E&M (Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance): Major European MRO provider covering line maintenance, engine overhaul, and component repair for commercial and military fleets. Overlaps directly with Cobra's aircraft MRO and engine test infrastructure work for European carriers and defense customers.
• Lufthansa Technik: One of the world's largest aerospace MRO providers, offering line and heavy maintenance, engine services, and component repair across civil aviation. Comparable to Cobra Aeronautics' aircraft line/heavy maintenance and engine test bench capabilities, but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• HAECO (Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company): Large independent MRO group providing line maintenance, base maintenance, and component services. Comparable to Cobra Aeronautics in line/heavy MRO scope and GSE-adjacent support, though HAECO operates at significantly larger scale in Asia.

Direct peers

• ITP Aero: Spanish engine manufacturer and a direct customer of Cobra Aeronautics (CT7, T700, PW-200 test benches at ITP's Albacete facility). ITP and Cobra work as a customer-supplier pair on engine test infrastructure, and ITP represents the type of engine OEM peer of Cobra's test bench business.
• TLD Group: Designer and manufacturer of GSE (tugs, belt loaders, GPUs, ASU, pushbacks) used by airlines and ground handlers. Comparable to Cobra on the GSE manufacturing and rebuild/retrofit side, especially around hybrid/electric transitions.
• JBT AeroTech: Global leader in Ground Support Equipment manufacturing, maintenance, and gate services for airports and airlines. Directly comparable to Cobra's GSE fleet maintenance (PBH contracts) and GSE rebuilding/modernization business.
• Tronair: Manufacturer of aircraft ground support equipment, tow bars, jacks, and GSE test/maintenance equipment. Directly comparable to Cobra Aeronautics' GSE design, manufacturing, and rebuilding capabilities.
• Barfield Inc. Specialized aviation test equipment manufacturer and avionics test bench provider serving civil and military operators. Closely comparable to Cobra's portable test equipment and pneumatic/hydraulic test bench capabilities.
• Iberia Maintenance: Airline-affiliated MRO provider offering line and heavy maintenance; Cobra is a sub-supplier and partner to Iberia Mantenimiento. Competes with Cobra on airline MRO scopes and shares the Spanish aviation MRO customer base.

Others

• SAFRAN Aircraft Engines (formerly Snecma / Tech TP): Major engine OEM that operates engine test benches worldwide and is a logical peer-adjacent reference for Cobra's engine test bench design/manufacturing business — particularly relevant where Cobra supports testing of CFM56, LEAP, and military variants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cobra-aeronautics

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cobra Aeronautics