New Delhi: GE Aerospace expects to deliver more than 3,200 additional engines to Indian customers over the next decade, as the country’s expanding aviation market drives demand for aircraft, propulsion systems and maintenance services. Vikram Rai, CEO of GE Aerospace South Asia, said the company and its joint ventures are positioned to play a major role in India’s growing commercial aviation sector.

According to the company’s estimates, around nine out of every 10 aircraft expected to be delivered to Indian airlines over the next decade will be powered by GE Aerospace or its joint ventures. The forecast reflects the company’s established presence in India and the large number of aircraft ordered by domestic airlines.

GE Aerospace’s plans also include increasing annual supplier spending in India to approximately $400 million by 2030, nearly double the roughly $200 million spent in 2025. The expansion is expected to create further opportunities for Indian manufacturers, engineering teams and aviation service providers.

More than 3,200 engines expected over the next decade

GE Aerospace and its joint-venture partners already have a substantial presence in India’s commercial aviation market. More than 1,400 of their commercial engines were operating in the country as of December 2025.

The company expects to deliver more than 3,200 additional engines over the next nine to 10 years as Indian airlines expand their fleets to serve rising passenger demand. These engines will support aircraft entering service during a period of significant growth for domestic and international air travel.

The expansion is linked to the large aircraft orders placed by Indian carriers. More than 1,700 new aircraft ordered by Indian airlines are expected to enter service over the coming decade, with most anticipated to use engines supplied by GE Aerospace and its partners.

The projected deliveries will also create long-term requirements for spare parts, engine inspections, repairs and maintenance. Aircraft engines require regular servicing throughout their operational lives, meaning that a growing fleet can generate demand for support services well beyond the initial engine sale.

Nine out of 10 new aircraft may use GE or partner engines

Rai’s outlook underlines the company’s expected role in India’s aviation expansion. GE Aerospace and its partners are positioned to supply engines for a large proportion of the new aircraft expected to join Indian airline fleets.

One major programme is the LEAP engine, developed by CFM International, a 50:50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. The engine powers aircraft in the Airbus A320neo family and Boeing 737 MAX family.

In July 2026, IndiGo announced a memorandum of understanding with CFM International for more than 1,000 LEAP-1A engines to power 510 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft. The agreement also included support for establishing IndiGo’s planned engine maintenance, repair and overhaul facility.

The order highlights the scale of demand expected from India’s airlines. As carriers add aircraft and increase flight frequencies, reliable engine supply and maintenance capacity will be essential to supporting their operations.

GE plans to raise supplier spending to $400 million

Alongside engine deliveries, GE Aerospace plans to strengthen its Indian supply chain by increasing annual supplier spending from approximately $200 million in 2025 to around $400 million by 2030.

The investment is intended to support growing production requirements and expand India’s role in the global aerospace manufacturing network. Indian suppliers produce components used in commercial engines, while the country’s engineering capabilities also support research, product development and digital technologies.

GE Aerospace’s manufacturing facility in Pune is an important part of this network, producing engine components for domestic and international programmes. The company also works with major suppliers across India to source precision-engineered parts.

A larger supplier base could create opportunities for companies involved in advanced materials, machining, component manufacturing and quality testing. However, suppliers must meet demanding aviation standards for precision, durability, reliability and traceability before their components can be used in aircraft engines.

The proposed spending increase therefore represents an opportunity for Indian manufacturers to expand their capabilities and compete for a larger share of global aerospace supply chains.

Bengaluru centre supports engineering and innovation

GE Aerospace’s presence in India extends beyond manufacturing. Its Bengaluru Technology Centre contributes to engineering, research and development, as well as digital solutions for aircraft and engine operations.

The centre has developed capabilities in areas such as predictive maintenance, data analytics and engine inspection technologies. These tools can help airlines identify potential maintenance requirements, plan servicing and reduce unexpected engine removals.

The company has also built capabilities through its Indian engineering workforce and partnerships across commercial and defence aviation. Its activities in the country include supplying propulsion technology, sourcing engine components and supporting customers with maintenance and technical expertise.

These operations give India a role not only as a market for aircraft engines but also as a source of engineering knowledge and manufacturing capability for the wider aerospace industry.

India’s aviation growth creates a major maintenance opportunity

The expansion of India’s airline fleets is expected to increase demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul services, commonly known as MRO. Engine maintenance is a specialised activity requiring trained personnel, advanced equipment, spare parts and strict safety procedures.

An economic-impact report prepared for GE Aerospace estimates that India’s MRO industry could see an opportunity worth more than $5.5 billion as new aircraft and engines enter service. The opportunity covers the need to maintain and repair the growing fleet over time.

India’s domestic passenger traffic stood at around 340 million in financial year 2025–26, according to estimates cited in the report. Passenger numbers are projected to rise substantially over the coming years, increasing the pressure on airlines to maintain aircraft availability and operational reliability.

Developing domestic MRO capacity could help airlines access maintenance services closer to home and strengthen the wider aviation ecosystem. The scale of the opportunity, however, will depend on investment, technical skills, infrastructure and the ability of service providers to meet international standards.

Long-term prospects for India’s aerospace industry

GE Aerospace’s expected delivery of more than 3,200 engines and its planned increase in Indian supplier spending reflect the long-term opportunities associated with the country’s aviation growth.

For India, the benefits could extend beyond aircraft operations to include component manufacturing, engineering, skilled employment and maintenance services. The company’s established presence in Pune and Bengaluru, together with its network of suppliers, provides a foundation for further expansion.

The next decade will test whether India’s manufacturing and maintenance capabilities can scale alongside the growth of its airline fleets. Continued investment in technology, workforce training and supplier quality will be important to capturing more value from the expanding aviation market.

With thousands of engines expected to enter service and airlines continuing to expand, GE Aerospace anticipates a growing role for its products and partners in India’s aviation sector.