Taking a step towards greater self-reliance in defence, GE Aerospace has announced a new agreement with the Indian Air Force to establish an engine repair and maintenance facility in India. This facility will support the F404-IN20 engines that power India’s indigenous HAL Tejas fighter jets.

The new depot will be established in India and will help reduce the country’s dependence on foreign repair centres. This means engines can now be serviced locally, saving time and improving the availability of aircraft for missions.

Faster repairs, better readiness

Until now, engines often had to be sent abroad for repairs and maintenance, which could take a long time. With the new in-country facility, the turnaround time for engine servicing is expected to improve significantly.

The facility will be owned and operated by the Indian Air Force, while GE Aerospace will provide technical expertise, training, specialised equipment, and spare parts. This partnership ensures that India builds its own capability while still benefiting from global technology and experience.

Strengthening a long-term partnership

This development marks another milestone in the long-standing relationship between GE Aerospace and the IAF, which spans over 40 years. Over the decades, GE has played a key role in powering several Indian defence platforms.

Apart from the Tejas fighter jets, GE engines are also used in the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and MH-60R helicopters, as well as the Indian Air Force’s Apache attack helicopters. In addition, GE’s marine gas turbines power major naval platforms like the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and Shivalik-class frigates.

Boost to India’s Aerospace ecosystem

The new facility is also expected to contribute to the growth of India’s aerospace ecosystem. GE Aerospace has been actively investing in India, not just in defence but also in skills development and manufacturing.

For example, the company has trained over 5,000 people in manufacturing skills at its Pune facility. It also runs engineering programs to develop future leaders, with around 150 engineers graduating from its specialised training initiatives.

In Bengaluru, GE has also launched a program called “Next Engineers” in partnership with United Way. This initiative aims to support around 4,000 young students by preparing them for careers in engineering over a four-year period.

GE Aerospace has a deep and growing presence in India. Its Pune manufacturing unit and a network of 13 local partners are part of its global supply chain. Meanwhile, its technology centre in Bengaluru, which has been operating for over 25 years, is involved in developing advanced aviation technologies.

Today, around 1,400 GE and partner engines are in service across India, powering both commercial airlines and defence platforms.