This article is based on an official press release from GE Aerospace.

Singapore and GE Aerospace Launch SPAARC to Accelerate Aviation R&D

On February 2, 2026, key aviation stakeholders in Singapore signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GE Aerospace, officially establishing the Singapore Partnership for Aviation & Aerospace Research and Capability (SPAARC). Announced at the 3rd Changi Aviation Summit, this collaboration signals a major strategic shift for GE Aerospace in the region, expanding its focus from traditional Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations to upstream research and development.

According to the official press release, the partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of next-generation technologies essential for a sustainable global aviation hub. The agreement brings together GE Aerospace, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and the International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI). Together, these entities plan to co-develop and test solutions in a real-world environment, specifically targeting safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

This initiative aligns with GE Aerospace’s broader strategy to deepen its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. Late last year, the company announced a US$75 million investment to upgrade capabilities across the region, with a significant portion dedicated to enhancing Singapore’s status as a “living lab” for aviation technology.

The Three Pillars of SPAARC

The SPAARC initiative will concentrate its research and development efforts on three primary domains, designed to address the most pressing challenges in modern aviation.

1. AI and Digital Safety

As automation becomes increasingly critical to flight operations, the partnership will focus on developing robust governance frameworks for Artificial Intelligence. The goal is to ensure that safety-critical systems meet rigorous aviation standards. Additionally, the partners intend to utilize AI to enhance maintenance procedures, flight operations, and broader airspace management.

2. Airspace Modernization

To optimize flow and capacity at major hubs like Changi Airport, SPAARC will work on creating advanced analytical systems for flight route planning. These digital platforms aim to improve coordination between airports, airlines, and flight crews, reducing delays and fuel consumption.

3. Advanced Aerodynamics

The third pillar involves upstream research to support next-generation propulsion systems, such as Open Fan engines. Researchers will study how these novel engine designs integrate with current aircraft and airport infrastructure, preparing the ground for future fleet upgrades.

“Together, through the new Singapore Partnership for Aviation & Aerospace Research and Capability (SPAARC), we’ll shape what’s possible for the future of flight.”

, Rahul Ghai, CFO, GE Aerospace

Strategic Roles and Implementation

Each partner plays a distinct role in the ecosystem. CAAS acts as the regulator, providing a “regulatory sandbox” and the operational environment of Changi Airport to safely test new technologies. The EDB facilitates investment to ensure the partnership generates high-value technical jobs for Singapore’s workforce.

The International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI), established in 2023, serves as the bridge between policy, private sector technology, and academic research. Its mandate is to translate research into operational reality, ensuring that innovations move effectively from the lab to the tarmac.

“Our work with GE Aerospace and key industry stakeholders translates research into real-world capabilities, helping to de-risk innovation and make transformative aviation projects achievable.”

, Patrick Ky, CEO, ICAI

AirPro News Analysis: Distinguishing SPAARC from Open Fan Testing

While SPAARC is a broad R&D framework, it is important to distinguish it from a separate agreement signed on the same day involving CAAS, Airbus, and CFM International (a GE/Safran joint venture). That separate deal establishes Singapore as the world’s first airport testbed specifically for the “RISE” Open Fan engine architecture.

We view SPAARC as the foundational research layer, providing the necessary data on aerodynamics and safety frameworks, that will support the operational testing conducted under the specific Open Fan agreement. By decoupling the broad research (SPAARC) from the specific hardware testing (Open Fan), Singapore is effectively de-risking the development of these technologies before a global rollout.

Significance for Global Aviation

For Singapore, this partnership cements its status as more than just a transit hub; it positions the nation as a global leader in aviation innovation. The initiative directly supports the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, which targets net-zero domestic emissions by 2050.

Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS, emphasized the efficiency gains expected from this public-private model:

“Through public-private research partnerships such as this, we hope to establish and offer new innovation pathways that are more efficient and effective than what are available currently.”

, Han Kok Juan, Director-General, CAAS

Globally, the AI governance frameworks developed under SPAARC could set a precedent for how regulators worldwide approve AI tools for safety-critical flight operations, potentially standardizing the integration of artificial intelligence in aerospace.

Sources

• GE Aerospace Press Release