HYDERABAD: The ‘Make in India’ programme has literally taken wings in Hyderabad with US-based conglomerate General Electric and its Indian counterpart Tata Group entering a strategic partnership to manufacture LEAP engine components for aircraft at the Adibhatla plant in Hyderabad. LEAP is world’s leading jet engine known for its technological superiority, efficient fuel consumption, performance for powering single-aisle commercial jets.
GE and Tata has signed an MoU to jointly pursue opportunities in the domain of military aircraft engines and systems. Though they did not announce the quantum of investment, sources in the industries department said that it would be huge. The CFM LEAP engine parts manufactured in India will be sourced for GE’s global supply chain and the partnership reaffirms commitment to the “Make in India” initiative.
The signing of MoU was the result of a year-long persuasion by the state government, especially by industries minister KT Rama Rao who, as part of his mission to attract investments to Telangana, had met the GE chairman in Chicago last year and urged him to invest in Hyderabad. The GE stated that it needed a partner to start the aircraft engine manufacturing unit. The industries department then got in touch with the Tatas and persuaded them to partner with GE. When the production takes place, global aircraft manufacturers would look to Hyderabad for engines, the sources said.
John Flannery, Chairman and CEO, GE, with N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons took part in the MoU-signing ceremony.“Tata group is a leader in the Indian defence and aerospace sector, and we look forward to working together to meet the growing demand for LEAP engines. Our collaboration in building innovative technologies will support the ‘Make in India’ vision of the Indian government,” said John L Flannery, chairman of GE.
“We look forward to working with GE to build more expertise and strengthen India’s defence manufacturing capabilities,” said N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons. “Tata group’s partnership with GE will help drive synergies in defence manufacturing and focus on innovation to support our armed forces,” he said.
Under the strategic partnership, GE Aviation and Tata Sons’ subsidiary, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), will manufacture, assemble, integrate and test aircraft components.
A new Centre of Excellence will be established for developing a robust ecosystem for aircraft engine manufacturing in India and build related capabilities.