GE Aerospace has announced its intention to significantly enhance the sourcing of components from India, recognizing the nation as a burgeoning aviation market. A senior executive from the company highlighted this strategic move, emphasizing India’s growing importance in the global aerospace supply chain.
Currently, GE Aerospace operates a manufacturing facility located in Pune and has its research and development center, the John F. Welch Technology Centre, situated in Bengaluru. At present, the company collaborates with 13 primary suppliers, including Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), which plays a vital role in their supply network.
Mahendra Nair, the Group Vice President for Commercial Programs at GE Aerospace, expressed optimism about India’s future contributions to the aerospace supply chain. He stated, “We have identified several highly capable companies within India that possess the requisite engineering talent and production capabilities. As long as these companies can adhere to the technical standards we require, we anticipate substantial growth in our sourcing from India.”
Nair further elaborated that the expanding aviation market in India presents a compelling case for increasing procurement from the country. Vikram Rai, the Chief Executive Officer for South Asia at GE Aerospace, noted a remarkable increase in the company’s sourcing capabilities, which surged by twentyfold from 2018 to 2022.
This impressive growth underscores the increasing significance of India as one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets worldwide, where domestic airlines are actively expanding their fleets to meet rising travel demands. Regarding the global supply chain dynamics within the aerospace industry, Nair acknowledged the current challenges, describing the situation as “tough.”
He projected that it would take at least another two years for the supply chain to stabilize and improve. The primary driver behind this extended timeline is the escalating demand within the aerospace sector, which is increasing by approximately 25 percent each year.
Nair remarked, “Even in this constrained environment, we are witnessing an output that exceeds last year’s figures by 25 percent. If we were to maintain the same level of demand, we might have seen a significant improvement, but the reality is that demand is continuously climbing, driven by the needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), airframe manufacturers, and service requirements.”
In addition to its commercial endeavors, GE Aerospace operates a joint venture with Safran Aircraft Engines, known as CFM, which manufactures the LEAP engines powering many narrow-body aircraft operating in India. Currently, around 1,300 engines from GE Aerospace and CFM are utilized by various Indian airlines.
Moreover, GE Aerospace’s defense engines and systems play a critical role in powering the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1, helicopters, and naval vessels, including aircraft carriers and frigates. With a workforce of approximately 3,000 employees in India, GE Aerospace is well-positioned to capitalize on the country’s aviation growth. Notably, their GEnx commercial aviation engines have successfully completed two million flight hours with South Asian airlines.
Currently, 90 GEnx engines are deployed in wide-body Boeing aircraft operated by Air India, Vistara, and Biman Bangladesh, with Air India Group accounting for over 90 percent of the two million flight hours logged by these engines. GE Aerospace is a leading global provider of jet engines and aviation systems, specializing in commercial and military aerospace solutions.
With a focus on innovation and advanced engineering, the company delivers high-performance products that enhance flight efficiency and safety. Headquartered in the U.S., GE Aerospace operates worldwide, including significant facilities in India, contributing to the growing aviation market.
