GE’s
F404 powers the Tejas LCA (Photo: Vayu)
Strategic partnerships are key drivers
of success in the aerospace ecosystem.
The right partner network is critical not only to provide access to technology,
expertise and resources but also brings greater efficiency to the manufacturing
process.
GE Aerospace has focused on building
effective strategic partnerships to help address some of India’s unique
challenges. Over the last 10 years, we
have worked with several large and small Indian companies to establish an
aerospace supplier community in India. 13 Indian companies manufacture and
supply commercial engine parts to our global factories. In addition, more than 200
local suppliers and partners provide small parts and materials to our Pune
factory.
Strategic partnerships and
collaboration
GE Aerospace’s association with Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the country’s pre-eminent aerospace and defence
manufacturer, goes back to the year 1986. As a partner to India’s military
aviation sector, the company has helped to adapt our engines and turbines—F404, F414, T700, LM2500, and LM500—for Indian defence projects.
Starting with working together on the
Tejas programme to powering the first operational squadron of light combat aircraft
(LCA) Tejas for the Indian Air Force, the partnership was extended in 2021 to
power the Tejas LCA Mk1A. And with the MoU to produce F414 in India, we are
further expanding the collaboration.
GE Aerospace has also been instrumental
in considerably expanding HAL’s capabilities in maintenance, repair and
overhaul (MRO) services. As an example, GE Aerospace entered a 30 year contract
in 2010 for the license to implement repairs and overhauls of avionics suite of
LRUs for the Hawk Mk.132 aircraft, which are the advanced jet trainers operated
by the Indian Navy and Air Force.
GE
Aerospace has the license to implement repairs and overhauls of avionics suite
of LRUs for the Hawk Mk.132 (Photo: Vayu)
Naval advancements
INS Vikrant is India’s first
indigenously built P-71 aircraft carrier, with 76% indigenous content. The
Vikrant is equipped with GE Aerospace’s propulsion equipment—LM2500 marine gas
turbines—a critical component for the Indian Navy, well known for its lightweight
design, fuel efficiency, durability, reliability and performance. Through a
strategic collaboration, HAL assembles, inspects and tests these turbines. Our gas
turbine module kits shipped to HAL also power the Navy’s three P17 frigates—Shivalik,
Satpura, and Sahyadri.
In 2023, we announced an MoU with HAL to
mutually explore expansion of manufacturing capabilities for the LM500 marine
gas turbine.
Indian
Navy’s IAC R11 Vikrant is equipped with GE Aerospace’s LM2500 marine gas
turbines (Photo: Indian Navy)
Developing
skill-led manufacturing
To develop local manufacturing and
assembly skills, we partner with local engineering academic institutions and
help their students with knowledge and lab equipment. From time to time, we
have invested in training technicians who were placed in our partner’s factories.
At our Pune factory, we have trained over 5,000 people in the last 10 years and
equipped them with aero-engine and hi-tech manufacturing skills. As the aerospace industry in India
aspires for growth and excellence, GE Aerospace is committed to bring our best
technology and training to our partners here.
By
Rita Flaherty, Vice President, Global Defence Sales and Marketing, GE Aerospace