The paper reviews published literature related to multi - echelon inventory modelsfor repairable items. Our objective is to understand the existing analytical modelsand their application in the context of the management of spare parts where repairfacilities are resource - constrained. The focus of the review is restricted to the modelswhich are suitable for practical application. A variety of models applicable to multi –echelon inventory system are reviewed and the Multi - Echelon Technique forRecoverable Item Control (METRIC) model and its variations, Level of Repair Analysis(LORA) are described. Taxonomy, showing the current position in the context of theexisting research is also presented