GE Aerospace has seen a 20-fold increase in engine component sourcing from India over the past five years, with plans to expand further as it strengthens its footprint in the country. With more than 1,300 engines currently operating in India and an additional 2,000 on order through its joint venture with French company Safran, GE Aerospace is also considering establishing a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India when the time is right.
“India is not just a significant market for us but also a critical part of our supply chain, with the right talent and potential for growth,” said Vikram Rai, CEO of GE Aerospace (South Asia), during an interview with a newspaper. The company works with 13 Indian suppliers, including Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), to export engine parts. From 2018 to 2022, exports from these Indian suppliers surged 20 times, though Rai did not reveal specific export values.
In November 2022, GE Aerospace signed a multi-year agreement with TASL, under which the Tata company will produce commercial aircraft engine components valued at $1 billion for GE’s global manufacturing network.
“Currently, our engines power aircraft such as Boeing 787 Dreamliners, B777s, and Airbus A320 neo planes operated by Indian airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara,” Rai said, adding that it will deliver 2,000 engines over the next 8–9 years, equating to one aircraft engine per week during that period. Rai hinted at future plans for an MRO facility in India, saying, “We continue to assess the possibility of an engine MRO here once we reach a critical number of engines in the region.”
The company is also working on next-generation open fan architecture engines as part of its CFM RISE program, aimed at improving fuel efficiency by 20%. Much of the research for this program is taking place at it’s Bengaluru facility. These engines, which are being developed for narrow-body aircraft, are expected to be operational by the middle of the next decade.
The CFM RISE initiative, launched in June 2021, aims to create engines that use 20% less fuel and emit 20% fewer CO2 emissions. Engineers at GE’s John F. Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC) are contributing to advancements in sustainable aviation technology, including hydrogen propulsion and hybrid-electric systems. The goal is to mature innovative technologies that could shape future engine designs and mountings.
