Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, has highlighted the crucial role that Indian aviation talent will play in the future of aerospace innovation. With a longstanding history of supporting Indian aviation, Pratt & Whitney’s engines have powered the country’s aircraft for over 70 years, from classic models like the Boeing 707 and 747 to the latest C-17 III Globemaster and C-295 in the Indian Air Force, as well as commercial fleets such as the A320neo, ATR, and Dash-8. Today, the company powers more than 600 aircraft in India and plans to deepen its investment in the country’s aerospace sector.
To support this vision, Pratt & Whitney established the India Customer Training Center in Hyderabad in 2015, which has provided advanced engine training to over 60 operators, amounting to more than 15,000 student days of instruction. The company has also invested over $40 million in its Centers of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, which focus on engineering, digital transformation, supply chain operations, and customer service. These CoEs are co-located with Collins Aerospace and RTX Enterprise Services, further solidifying Pratt & Whitney’s presence in India.
In 2023, the India Engineering Center (IEC) was launched in Bengaluru, followed by the opening of two additional centers in 2024—the India Digital Capability Center (IDCC) and the Customer Service Center (CSC). The IDCC is designed to support global digital initiatives, including data analytics, Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, and application development. Meanwhile, the CSC offers a variety of services for turboprop and business jet fleets, such as maintenance, repair, operations (MRO) support, spare part management, and engine reliability analysis.
Pratt & Whitney aims to increase its sourcing from India to nearly $150 million per year by 2030, reflecting a commitment to strengthening the country’s aerospace supply chain. Collins Aerospace, another RTX company, is collaborating with around 200 Indian suppliers and plans to expand its network further. The company is also investing $200 million to enhance R&D and production capabilities in India, including building a test facility in Bengaluru for local qualification and certification.
More than 6,000 RTX employees in India are currently engaged in various aviation technology projects. Collins Aerospace’s Bengaluru facilities work across all six of the company’s business areas, including avionics, interiors, advanced structures, and connected aviation solutions. Notably, Collins Aerospace was one of the first Indian companies to manufacture and export an aviation product to the United States.
As India’s commercial aviation sector continues to grow, with airlines ordering over 2,000 aircraft for the next 20 years, the demand for efficient and sustainable engines is rising. Pratt & Whitney is focusing on sustainability advancements and expects Indian aviation talent to play a vital role in these developments.
