GE Aerospace Deeply and All Across India’s Commercial and Military Aviation

By R Chandrakanth

Bangalore. For more than four decades, GE Aerospace has been woven into the fabric of India’s aviation and defence story.

From the first CF6-powered Air India Airbus taking to the skies in 1982 to the Indian Navy’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant sailing with GE’s LM2500 marine gas turbines in 2024, the American company’s journey mirrors India’s own transition, from an aviation market dependent on imports to one aspiring for self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), advanced manufacturing and global competitiveness.

With India being one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world, GE Aerospace finds itself deeply entrenched in commercial aviation (and also military aircraft, naval propulsion, manufacturing, R&D and skilling). Today, over 1,300 GE Aerospace and CFM engines power aircraft operated by Indian carriers and Defence forces, a number set to cross 1,400 as massive aircraft ordersare delivered over the next few years.

Currently, around 600 GE and CFM aircraft engines are in service with Indian carriers.

Taking Off: It’s About GE

Walk through any major Indian airport and the dominance of GE-powered aircraft is unmistakable. Narrow-body workhorses operated by IndiGo and Air India are powered by CFM56 and LEAP engines, while wide-body fleets flying long-haul routes rely heavily on GE’s GEnx engines.

The Air India Group alone accounts for more than 90 per cent of the two million flight hours clocked by GEnx engines in South Asia.

Globally, the GEnx fleet has accumulated over 51 million flight hours, while in India it has become synonymous with long-haul reliability. Around 90 GEnx engines currently power Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Air India and Biman Bangladesh, with Air India planning to induct another 20 Boeing 787s, adding 40 more GEnx engines to its fleet.

In 2023, Air India announced one of the largest aircraft orders in aviation history: 400 single-aisle and 70 twin-aisle aircraft.

To power its wide-body expansion, the airline signed agreements with GE Aerospace for 40 GEnx-1B engines for the Boeing 787 and 20 GE9X engines for the next-generation Boeing 777X, along with comprehensive engine services. For narrow-body aircraft, Air India will acquire more than 800 LEAP engines from CFM International, the 50:50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and the French Safran Aircraft Engines, to power 210 Airbus A320/A321neo aircraft and 190 Boeing 737 MAX-family aircraft.

With over 70 million flight hours, 820 million passengers flown and 2.5 billion pounds of cargo transported monthly worldwide, the GEnx has set benchmarks for durability and efficiency. In India, it powers the majority of the wide-body fleet, underlining GE Aerospace’s central role in the country’s international connectivity.

Its engine portfolio in India spans a)  CF6 engines that marked the beginning of its commercial aviation journey with Air India; b) CFM56 engines powering earlier generations of narrow-body fleets; c)LEAP engines for next-generation Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft; d) GEnx engines dominating India’s wide-body Boeing 787 fleet; e) GE9X engines set to power future Boeing 777X aircraft; f)F404 and F414 engines at the heart of the Tejas fighter programme; and (g) the LM2500 marine gas turbines powering aircraft carriers and frontline naval vessels.

Engines at the Core of India’s Indigenous Platforms

Beyond commercial aviation, GE Aerospace has become a cornerstone of India’s defence ecosystem.

Its engines and systems power some of the country’s most strategic military platforms across the Indian Air Force and Navy.The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, India’s flagship indigenous fighter programme, is powered by GE’s F404 engine. These engines have been flying on Tejas aircraft since 2004, symbolising one of the longest-running defence partnerships between an international engine maker and Indian institutions.

GE Aerospace has supplied 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Tejas Mk1 programme.  Manufacturing of these engines is underway, with deliveries supporting the Indian Air Force’s squadron strength. In November last, the HAL team met with the GE team to discuss the procurement of 113 F404 GE-IN20 engines for the IAF’s MK-1A variant. The deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2027 and continue through 2032.

Looking ahead, GE Aerospace will also power the next phase of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme.

The Indian government has approved funding of around USD 800 million (₹5,375 crore) for the prototype development, testing and certification of the Tejas Mk2, which will be powered by the more powerful GE F414-INS6 engine. This marks a significant step in India’s quest for higher-thrust fighter engines and deeper technology collaboration.

GE’s defence footprint extends beyond fighter aircraft.

Its engines and systems power Indian Air Force helicopters and critical naval assets, including aircraft carrier battle groups and frontline warships.

Pune Facility Expansion

GE’s presence in India dates back to 1902, when it helped build Asia’s first hydropower plant near Mysore, now Mysuru. Over the decades, its operations have expanded across sectors, but aerospace manufacturing has emerged as a key pillar of its India strategy.

The Pune manufacturing facility, which completed a decade of operations in 2025, stands as a symbol of this evolution. What began as a multi-business manufacturing site has grown into a high-tech aerospace components hub supplying parts for GE’s most advanced commercial jet engines, including the GEnx, GE9X and CFM LEAP.

In November 2025, GE Aerospace announced a fresh USD 14 million investment to expand capacity at the Pune facility, building on the USD 30 million committed the previous year. The investment focuses on upgraded manufacturing processes, automation and capabilities to support advanced engine components, aligning closely with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Backed by a supplier ecosystem of more than 300 partners around Pune and over 2,200 suppliers across India, the facility plays a critical role in GE Aerospace’s global supply chain. Over the past 10 years, it has trained more than 5,000 production associates in precision manufacturing, helping create a skilled talent pool for India’s aerospace ambitions.

The site operates on GE Aerospace’s proprietary lean operating model, FLIGHT DECK, which emphasises safety, quality and delivery. Through shop-floor innovation and continuous improvement, the Pune plant in western India has reduced waste, shortened lead times and significantly boosted productivity, all the while improving worker safety.

Environmentally, the facility is ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, with nearly 30 per cent of its power coming from renewable sources.

Building the Future

Manufacturing is only one dimension of GE Aerospace’s India footprint.

Its India Technology Centre (ITC) in Bengaluru, operational for over 25 years, is a critical node in the company’s global engineering network. Researchers and engineers here work on advanced aviation technologies, digital innovation and next-generation propulsion systems.

In 2025, GE Aerospace also reinforced its long-term commitment to India’s talent pipeline by launching the Next Engineers programme in Bengaluru, in partnership with United Way Bengaluru. The initiative aims to inspire and prepare students aged 13 to 18 from underserved backgrounds for careers in engineering and applied sciences. Over four years, the programme plans to reach more than 4,000 students, combining hands-on learning, mentoring, university preparation and scholarships.

For an industry grappling with global skill shortages, this focus on early intervention and community engagement signals GE Aerospace’s intent to build sustainable, local capability, not just meet immediate workforce needs.

As of 2026, GE Aerospace operates in India through more than 20 offices, 12 factories and four technology centres, employing over 14,000 people. Half of India’s electricity transmission and distribution relies on GE technology, underscoring the breadth of its industrial footprint beyond aviation.

In aerospace specifically, the company is positioned at the intersection of India’s biggest growth drivers: commercial aviation expansion, defence indigenisation, advanced manufacturing and digital transformation. Tie-ups with HAL, long-standing collaboration with DRDO and the Aeronautical Development Agency, and deep integration with India’s supplier ecosystem position GE Aerospace as more than just an engine supplier,it is a strategic partner in India’s aerospace journey.

Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its India presence further through aeroengine manufacturing, increased localisation, digital services, MRO collaboration and continued investment in talent and technology.

As India pushes toward becoming a global aviation hub and a defence manufacturing powerhouse, GE Aerospace seems set to remain at the heart of that transformation, powering not just aircraft and ships, but the ambitions of a nation taking flight.