MRO & Manufacturing
GE Aerospace Expands Manufacturing and Supply Chain in India
GE Aerospace invests $44 million in Pune facility and partners with 2,200+ suppliers to build a global aerospace supply chain hub in India.
This article is based on an official press release from GE Aerospace and additional industry data.
GE Aerospace Accelerates India Strategy: Building a Global Supply Chain Hub
GE Aerospace is aggressively expanding its manufacturing footprint in India, signaling a strategic shift that positions the nation not merely as a consumer market but as a critical node in the global aerospace supply chain. According to an official company release, the engine manufacturer has cultivated a network of over 2,200 suppliers in the region, supported by significant capital investments in its Pune multi-modal facility.
The expansion comes as the aviation industry seeks to diversify supply lines and increase production capacity for next-generation engines. Leading this transition on the ground are industry veterans like Srinivasan Dwarakanath, Director General of the Aerospace India Association (AIA), who characterizes the current environment as a pivotal “inflection point” for Indian manufacturing.
From Engineering Services to High-Value Manufacturing
Historically known for its strength in software and engineering services, India is now moving rapidly into complex hardware manufacturing. GE Aerospace reports that its sourcing from India has grown substantially, driven by a tiered supply chain that includes both massive conglomerates and specialized Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
At the heart of this strategy is GE’s multi-modal facility in Pune. In November 2025, the company announced a $14 million expansion of the site, bringing the total investment to $44 million over two years. This facility is unique within GE’s global network, capable of producing diverse components for different business units under one roof.
Key Infrastructure Investments
- Pune Multi-Modal Facility: Exports components for GEnx, GE9X, and LEAP engines to assembly lines in the United States and France.
- Workforce Development: The facility has trained over 5,000 production associates in specialized aerospace manufacturing processes.
- Global Research Centre (Bengaluru): Houses over 1,000 researchers providing the R&D backbone for manufacturing operations.
The Supplier Ecosystem
GE Aerospace has established deep partnerships with Indian manufacturers to produce critical components for its most popular engine programs, including the LEAP engine used in the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo. The supply chain is anchored by several key players:
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL)
A long-standing partner, TASL manufactures compressor casings, high-pressure turbine components, and combustion chambers. In late 2022, GE extended a contract with TASL valued at over $1 billion. The company operates a Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad specifically dedicated to aero-engine components.
Raghu Vamsi
Representing the specialized MSME sector, Raghu Vamsi supplies precision connectors, fuel nozzles, and valve actuators. The company recently launched a ₹300 crore ($36 million) integrated facility in Hyderabad to expand capacity for global OEMs.
“It’s not just about growth but about evolving together. There’s a degree of complexity and capability that we have traversed as a GE Aerospace partner.”
, Preeti Vamsi, Director, Raghu Vamsi
Godrej Aerospace
Godrej manufactures complex assemblies, including ventilation systems for LEAP engines. In late 2025, the company secured a contract with Safran,GE’s partner in CFM International,for titanium-based engine parts, further integrating into the global supply web.
Industry Leadership and Strategic Context
Srinivasan Dwarakanath, formerly the CEO of Airbus India Operations and now a key industry advocate, notes that the interest from global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) is unprecedented. He predicts that India’s aerospace exports could grow tenfold to $20 billion annually within the next decade.
“We are at an inflection point… I have not ever seen so much inbound interest for manufacturing from global OEMs. India, with its sophisticated technological foundation and manpower, is ready for aerospace.”
, Srinivasan Dwarakanath, Director General, Aerospace India Association
This growth aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, which push for the localization of defense and aerospace production. The Aerospace India Association is currently working to localize the sourcing of raw materials, such as titanium and steel, to further secure the supply chain.
AirPro News Analysis
The aggressive expansion of GE Aerospace in India reflects a broader “China Plus One” strategy adopted by major Western industrial firms. By diversifying manufacturing bases, companies aim to insulate themselves from geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions that have plagued the industry in recent years.
However, the transition from low-value components to critical rotating parts,like those produced by TASL,requires rigorous quality control and certification processes. GE’s investment in training 5,000 associates suggests a long-term commitment to bridging the skills gap, ensuring that Indian manufacturing meets the exacting standards of global aviation regulators. If successful, this ecosystem could serve as a blueprint for other aerospace giants looking to leverage India’s industrial capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Pune facility?
The Pune multi-modal facility is GE’s first factory globally capable of producing products for multiple business units in one location. It exports components for major engine programs like the GEnx and LEAP.
Who are the major suppliers for GE in India?
Key suppliers include Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), Raghu Vamsi, Godrej Aerospace, Mahindra Aerostructures, and Belcan.
How much has GE invested in the Pune facility recently?
GE Aerospace announced a $14 million expansion in November 2025, bringing the total investment in the site to $44 million over two years.
Sources
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
MRO & Manufacturing
Safran Opens $140M LEAP Engine MRO Facility in Mexico
Safran Aircraft Engines inaugurated a $140M LEAP engine maintenance facility in Querétaro, targeting 350 shop visits annually by 2030.
Safran Aircraft Engines officially opened a $140 million maintenance facility in Querétaro, Mexico, on July 1, 2026, expanding its capacity to service the rapidly growing global fleet of CFM LEAP engines. The new shop adds significant infrastructure to the manufacturers footprint in the Americas, targeting the high-volume narrowbody market.
The facility is part of a broader €1 billion global investment strategy by the company to scale its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network. The CFM LEAP engine powers next-generation narrowbody aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX, both of which are seeing increased shop visit demand as early-delivery airframes mature.
Scaling LEAP engine maintenance in the Americas
The comprehensive MRO hub in Querétaro spans a total footprint of 50,000 square meters. Safran projects that by 2030, the two maintenance facilities located at the site will be capable of handling 350 LEAP engine shop visits annually. The site also features a new test cell designed to perform 350 engine tests per year by the end of the decade.
In a press release issued to mark the opening, Stéphane Cueille, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines, stated that the inauguration strengthens the Querétaro hub’s role at the center of the company’s maintenance ecosystem in the Americas.
Workforce growth and training initiatives
The new engine shop will employ 450 people when operating at full capacity. This expansion adds to the existing workforce across the four Safran Aircraft Engine Services Americas facilities in Querétaro, which currently stands at 1,450 employees. Safran projects the total headcount for its Querétaro operations will reach 2,000 by 2030.
To support this rapid workforce expansion, the company established an onsite training center in partnership with local educational institutions. The center is designed to train 300 inspectors and technicians annually, creating a direct pipeline of qualified personnel for the MRO hub.
“With continued investment in Mexico and around the world we will address the growing global demand for LEAP engine maintenance while continuing to deliver world class support to our customers in the region,” Cueille said.
Global MRO network expansion
The Querétaro engine shop inauguration aligns with Safran Aircraft Engines’ €1 billion global investment plan. To support the expanding CFM LEAP engine fleet, the company recently opened similar maintenance facilities in India, Morocco, and Belgium.
The broader Safran Group is also increasing its footprint in Mexico across other divisions. On June 10, 2026, Safran Landing Systems announced an expansion of its global MRO capabilities, which included its separate Querétaro site, to support landing gear maintenance for Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Airbus A330 aircraft.
AirPro News analysis
The aggressive expansion of Safran’s MRO network underscores the industry-wide pressure to keep next-generation narrowbody fleets operational. As the CFM LEAP engine matures and the installed base on Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grows, shop visit demand is accelerating. We view the $140 million investment in Querétaro as a strategic move to localize heavy maintenance near major North and South American operators, reducing turnaround times and logistical bottlenecks. The concurrent focus on local workforce training highlights a critical challenge in the MRO sector: securing the qualified technicians required to meet projected maintenance volumes over the next decade.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
MRO & Manufacturing
Daher Aircraft Opens MRO Center at Jonzac-Neulles Airport
Daher Aircraft inaugurated a 6,000 sq-meter MRO facility at Jonzac-Neulles Airport on July 3, 2026, replacing its former Merpins site.
Daher Aircraft officially opened a 6,000-square-meter maintenance, overhaul, and logistics center at Jonzac-Neulles Airport (LFCJ) on July 3, 2026, consolidating its regional support operations and gaining direct runway access for on-aircraft services.
The purpose-built facility in France’s Charente-Maritime Department replaces the manufacturer’s previous site in Merpins, located 25 kilometers to the north. According to a press release issued by the company, the relocation ensures continuity for existing service contracts while providing the physical capacity to expand its support network for a diverse fleet of civil and military aircraft.
Expanded capabilities and runway access
The transition to Jonzac-Neulles Airport provides Daher Aircraft with direct access to a 1,370-meter runway. This infrastructure addition allows the company to perform on-aircraft maintenance and technical support that was not feasible at the landlocked Merpins location.
The center offers a broad portfolio of services, operating both under direct contract and as a supplier. Supported aircraft range from Airbus helicopters operated by the French Gendarmerie to training airplanes manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft and Grob Aircraft.
The facility houses specialized workshops for composite airframe repair, painting, welding, landing gear hydraulics, battery overhaul, and Level 2 non-destructive testing.
Legacy fleet support and regional investment
A primary function of the new hub is maintaining the global fleet of approximately 3,000 legacy general aviation and training aircraft produced by SOCATA, Daher Aircraft’s predecessor. The center will provide spare parts supply, repair services, and replacement part manufacturing for the SOCATA TB and Rallye aircraft families under the company’s Part 21J Design Organization Approval.
Local government authorities, specifically the Communauté des Communes de Haute Saintonge, spearheaded the construction of the facility. The project was initiated under former president Claude Belot and inaugurated with current president and Jonzac mayor Christophe Cabri in attendance.
“This inauguration marks another important step in Daher Aircraft’s commitment to further strengthening our global support network and the comprehensive services it provides,”
said Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft. He credited the local government’s support as instrumental in completing the project.
The operation currently employs 32 personnel who transferred from the former Merpins site. Daher Aircraft projects the workforce will increase to approximately 40 employees by the end of 2026.
AirPro News analysis
The relocation to Jonzac-Neulles Airport represents a logical infrastructure upgrade for Daher Aircraft. By securing direct runway access, the company eliminates the logistical friction of transporting aircraft components over land for overhaul and opens the door to fly-in maintenance services. We view this as a strategic consolidation that protects Daher’s lucrative legacy support business while positioning the facility to capture third-party maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) contracts for other general aviation manufacturers.
Sources: Daher Aircraft
Photo Credit: Daher Aircraft
MRO & Manufacturing
Honeywell Wins $249M Army Contract for CH-47 Chinook Engine MRO
Honeywell Aerospace secures a $249M U.S. Army contract to overhaul T55-GA-714A engines for the CH-47 Chinook fleet through May 2029.
Honeywell Aerospace has secured a $249 million contract from the U.S. Army to provide repair and overhaul services for the T55-GA-714A turboshaft engines powering the Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet.
The three-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement, announced in a June 2026 press release, ensures a continuous supply of serviceable powerplants for the military through May 2029. The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal officially awarded the Contracts on May 21, 2026.
Commercial processes drive military maintenance efficiency
Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work will take place at Honeywell’s aerospace headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company is applying commercial aviation maintenance methodologies to its military engine overhaul program to increase throughput and reduce turnaround times.
Brian Laughton, Senior Director and Site Leader of the Phoenix repair facility, stated that the T55 line utilizes the same processes applied to the company’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified lines for business jet turbofan engines.
Capitalizing on these proven commercial processes has enabled us to double our capacity in the facility and reduce cycle time to ensure we are meeting delivery commitments to our customers.
Legacy and evolution of the T55 engine program
The T55 engine originally entered service in 1961. Over the past six decades, Honeywell has manufactured more than 6,000 T55 engines, accumulating approximately 12 million flight hours across the CH-47 and MH-47 variants.
The powerplant has undergone significant upgrades since its introduction. The current T55-GA-714A variant produces approximately 5,000 shaft horsepower, representing a threefold increase in output compared to the original 1960s design. The engine currently supports the U.S. Army and more than 15 international military operators.
Dave Marinick, President of Engines & Power Systems at Honeywell Aerospace, noted the company’s long-term commitment to the platform, stating that Honeywell looks forward to continuing its support for the engine program for decades to come.
AirPro News analysis
We observe that cross-pollinating commercial FAA-certified maintenance practices into military depot-level work is becoming a critical strategy for aerospace Manufacturers. By doubling facility capacity without necessarily expanding the physical footprint, Honeywell is addressing the persistent supply chain and turnaround time bottlenecks that have challenged military readiness in recent years. The $249 million valuation for a three-year period highlights the intense operational tempo and heavy utilization of the global Chinook fleet.
Sources: Honeywell Aerospace
Photo Credit: Boeing
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