GE Aerospace plans major increase in component sourcing from India

GE Aerospace, a leading global engine manufacturer, plans to significantly ramp up the sourcing of components from India, recognizing the country’s burgeoning aviation market, according to a senior official from the company, reported PTI.

Mahendra Nair, Group Vice President for Commercial Programs at GE Aerospace, emphasized India’s growing role in the company’s global supply chain. “India has some very capable companies with the right engineering talent and production footprint. As long as they meet the technical standards we require, the opportunity for growth is substantial,” Nair said during a recent interview in New Delhi. 

The company currently operates a manufacturing facility in Pune and has a significant presence at the John F. Welch Technology Centre in Bengaluru. GE Aerospace partners with 13 major suppliers in India, including Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL). 

Vikram Rai, South Asia Chief Executive Officer at GE Aerospace, revealed that the company’s sourcing from India had surged 20-fold between 2018 and 2022. “India is a market that is poised for tremendous growth, and we are committed to expanding our sourcing footprint here,” Rai noted.

India is one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally, with domestic carriers continuing to expand their fleets. GE Aerospace’s CFM joint venture with Safran Aircraft Engines powers many of the narrow-body aircraft in India with its LEAP engines. Currently, around 1,300 GE Aerospace and CFM engines are operational on Indian carriers.

In addition to commercial aviation, GE Aerospace’s defense systems play a pivotal role in India, powering platforms like the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas Mk1) and several naval aircraft and battleships.

Despite global supply chain challenges, Nair expressed optimism about future growth. “The global aerospace supply chain is under strain, and it may take two more years to stabilize. However, the demand on the supply chain continues to rise by 25 percent annually,” Nair remarked.

GE Aerospace employs around 3,000 people in India, and its GEnx commercial engines recently crossed a significant milestone of two million flight hours with South Asian airlines. Ninety GEnx engines are currently powering wide-body Boeing aircraft operated by Air India, Vistara, and Biman Bangladesh, with Air India accounting for more than 90% of the total flight hours. (PTI)