Aviation giant doubles local procurement spend backed by expanding supplier networks and surging engine demand.
GE Aerospace plans to nearly double its annual procurement spending in India to approximately $400 million by 2030, up from around $200 million in 2025, as it deepens ties with the country’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
Speaking at the company’s “India Taking Flight” event in New Delhi, Vikram Rai, Chief Executive Officer for South Asia at GE Aerospace, stated that the planned expansion underscores growing confidence in India’s aviation infrastructure and precision manufacturing capabilities.
The increased procurement will support an established domestic supply chain comprising 17 primary partners—including small and medium-sized enterprises—alongside GE Aerospace’s flagship manufacturing facility in Pune. The Pune plant, originally established with a $200 million investment, has absorbed nearly $55 million in additional capital since 2024 to enhance automation, precision engineering, and workforce development.
The sourcing expansion aligns with unprecedented growth in the Indian civil aviation sector. More than 1,400 commercial engines from GE Aerospace and its joint ventures are currently operational in India, with over 3,200 additional engines scheduled for delivery over the next decade. Consequently, approximately 90 per cent of new aircraft delivered to Indian carriers over the coming nine to ten years will feature engines produced by GE Aerospace or its partner ventures.
A report by EY launched at the event, Powering Progress: GE Aerospace’s Economic Impact in India, estimates that the fleet expansion represents a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) market opportunity exceeding $5.5 billion for the country. To capture this growth, IndiGo’s July 2026 agreement with CFM International—a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines—for over 1,000 LEAP-1A engines includes dedicated support to establish the airline’s upcoming engine MRO facility.
In addition to manufacturing, GE Aerospace highlighted the role of its Bengaluru Technology Centre. Established in 2000, the research hub has secured more than 1,000 aviation patents, contributing to the development of the GE9X engine and participating in the CFM RISE technology demonstration programme aimed at improving fuel efficiency by 20 per cent.
