Pratt & Whitney targets USD 150 million sourcing in India by 2030

Interview: Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Head, Pratt & Whitney

Ashish Saraf

What is mix of market for Pratt & Whitney in India?

As Pratt & Whitney celebrates its centennial this year, we also mark over 70 years as a key partner in Indian aviation. From powering India’s jet age with the JT3D and JT9D engines on Boeing 707s and 747s, to driving commercial growth with V2500 engines on IndiGo’s 100 A320ceos in 2005. Currently, Pratt & Whitney dominates propulsion in regional aviation segment with its PW100/150 family of engines, powering more than 90 ATR 42/72s and Dash-8s with Indian airlines.

Our engines also power the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet modernisation, including 11 C-17 Globemaster IIIs powered by F117 engines, 75 PT6-powered PC-7 trainers in service and 56 PW-127G powered C-295s incoming. We also have nearly 1,500 engines and Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) in service in India, including 116 GTF-powered A320 and A321neos with IndiGo.

What are the mid-term prospects for P&W in India?

Earlier this year, we announced that the GTF Advantage engine achieved United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Airbus A320neo family. GTF engines already offer the lowest fuel consumption for single-aisle aircraft.

The GTF Advantage will deliver 4-8 pc more take-off thrust, enabling higher payload and longer range, unlocking new destinations for airlines. It offers better fuel efficiency and is fundamentally more durable. India was an early adopter of the GTF engine and operators have benefited from its best-in-class fuel efficiency.

Do you have products suitable for Indian fighter jet programmes ?

RTX manufactures a wide range of products for global war fighters and aircraft programmes, including the latest generation of aircraft in development. As partners on India’s indigenous fighter LCA MKI, we understand what is needed for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Both Collins and P&W can offer advanced products and systems including avionics, aero structures, mechanical, power control systems, as well as propulsion solutions for India’s fifth-generation fighter.

Are you looking for outsourcing in India?

Supply chain and talent growth have always been integral to our partnership with India. We have been working with Indian suppliers for over a decade in machining and assembly.

We have sourced nearly USD 55 million from India over the past 10 years and over USD 500 million in engineering services over the past two decades. We aim to expand our sourcing in India to reach nearly USD 150 million annually by 2030.

Are you setting up dedicated MRO units in India?

We have made significant investments in India over the past decade, including our state-of-theart Customer Training Centre in Hyderabad for advanced engine training, and over USD 40 million in engineering, digital and aftermarket centres of excellence in Bengaluru. Aircraft engine Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) is a highly specialised operation and India has the talent and capability. We are exploring MRO opportunities in India at an RTX level.

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has partnered with HAL to establish an MRO facility in Lucknow for Integrated Drive Generators (IDGs) and Generator Control Units (GCUs) for the IAF’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Pratt & Whitney’s aftermarket centre of excellence in Bengaluru already provides a range of services, such as MRO support, spare part management, engine leasing, reliability analysis, and contract administration.

Is P&W developing hybrid-electric engines?

Hybrid-electric propulsion is a key part of our technology roadmap for increasing fuel efficiency and performance in future aircraft. As part of RTX, Pratt & Whitney is working closely with Collins Aerospace, a world leader in aircraft electrical systems, across several hybrid-electric demonstrator programmes addressing a range of potential applications, from helicopters to single-aisles.

For example, RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator project is targetting a 30 pc increase in fuel efficiency over a modern regional turboprop, with a propulsion system combining a Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine with a Collins Aerospace 1 megawatt (MW) electric motor. In July 2024, we successfully tested this propulsion system to full power, about 1,800 shaft horsepower (shp) and we continue to make progress with our ground tests.

P&W Canada and Collins are also collaborating with Airbus Helicopters on the development of a hybrid-electric propulsion system for the Pioneer Lab demonstrator project, which is targetting a 30 pc increase in fuel efficiency, compared to a conventionally powered H145 helicopter.