GE Aerospace is increasing its component sourcing from India as the country’s aviation sector experiences significant growth. The company, already operating a facility in Pune and a technology centre in Bengaluru, partners with 13 major Indian suppliers, including Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL).
Mahendra Nair, Group Vice President of Commercial Programs at GE Aerospace, acknowledged India’s expanding role in the company’s supply chain. According to Nair, India has the engineering talent and production capability required to meet the company’s technical standards, making it a promising region for growth.
Vikram Rai, GE Aerospace’s South Asia CEO, highlighted a substantial rise in sourcing from India, which increased 20-fold between 2018 and 2022. With India being one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally, this trend is expected to continue as domestic airlines expand their fleets.
However, challenges remain in the global aerospace supply chain. Nair noted that it may take at least two more years for the supply chain to stabilise, as demand is growing by 25% annually. Despite these challenges, GE Aerospace continues to push forward.
GE Aerospace is also deeply involved in India’s defence sector, supplying engines for the Indian Air Force’s Tejas aircraft and other military platforms. The company employs 3,000 people in India, further emphasising its commitment to the region.
The GEnx engines, which power Boeing wide-body planes for airlines like Air India and Vistara, recently reached two million flight hours in South Asia, demonstrating the company’s growing influence in the region.