GE Aerospace, a leading global manufacturer of aircraft engines, has announced plans to substantially increase its component sourcing from India, capitalising on the country’s rapidly expanding aviation market. This insight was shared by Mahendra Nair, Group Vice President for Commercial Programs, GE Aerospace, during a recent interview in New Delhi.

 “India has a number of capable companies equipped with the right engineering talent and production capabilities. As long as they meet our technical standards, there is a significant opportunity for growth,” Nair remarked.  Currently, GE Aerospace operates a manufacturing facility in Pune and maintains a strong presence at the John F. Welch Technology Centre in Bengaluru. The company collaborates with 13 major suppliers in India, including Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL).  

Vikram Rai, South Asia Chief Executive Officer, GE Aerospace, revealed that sourcing from India has surged 20-fold between 2018 and 2022. “India is a market primed for tremendous growth, and we are committed to expanding our sourcing footprint here,” Rai stated.  With domestic carriers continuously expanding their fleets, India ranks among the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally. The CFM joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines powers many narrow-body aircraft in India with its LEAP engines. Currently, approximately 1,300 GE Aerospace and CFM engines are operational within Indian carriers.  Beyond commercial aviation, GE Aerospace’s defence systems are vital in India, powering platforms such as the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas Mk1) and various naval aircraft and battleships.  

Despite facing global supply chain challenges, Nair expressed optimism regarding future growth.

“The global aerospace supply chain is currently under strain and may take another two years to stabilise. However, demand is continuing to rise by 25% annually,” he noted.  Employing around 3,000 people in India, GE Aerospace’s GEnx commercial engines recently achieved a significant milestone of two million flight hours with South Asian airlines. Ninety GEnx engines are currently in operation, powering wide-body Boeing aircraft for Air India, Vistara, and Biman Bangladesh, with Air India accounting for over 90% of the total flight hours.  (FE)