Pratt & Whitney will open an engineering center in Bengaluru in 2023

Pratt & Whitney

Type of company

engine builder

Creation date

1925-01-01

CEO

Christopher Calio

Head office location

East Hartford, United States

All the major global aerospace companies are expected to make key announcements at this year’s Farnborough Airshow, and Pratt & Whitney made a few on day one. Among them was his plan to establish an engineering center in India, strengthening its ties with the country and utilizing its vast engineering resources.

New Engineering Center in Bangalore

Pratt & Whitney on Monday announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Indian Engineering Center (IEC) in Bangalore. The US aerospace manufacturer made the announcement on the sidelines of the Farnborough Airshow and said the center is expected to be operational in January 2023.

The IEC will focus on providing contract engineering services and is expected to employ 500 engineers and professionals when full. Geoff Hunt, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney, commented,

“The Pratt & Whitney Indian Engineering Center will be the first investment of its kind for our company in India. The IEC will help Pratt & Whitney leverage the engineering skills our future Indian workforce will provide, as Pratt & Whitney continues to advance the world’s only geared turbojet engine and develop sustainable propulsion for the next generation of propulsion.

The IEC will focus on providing contract engineering services. Photo: Pratt & Whitney

Co-located with Supply Chain Support Center

The IEC will be co-located in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, where the company established the Pratt & Whitney India Capability Center (ICC) earlier this year.

ICC is a world-class global supply chain operations and support center, established in 2022 as part of United Technologies Corporation India Pvt Ltd (UTCIPL), employing nearly 200 people.

The latest engineering center will be integrated into Pratt & Whitney’s global engineering operations and will work closely with centers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Poland. The IEC has already started to recruit its first group of engineers and professionals.

Paul Weedon, Executive Director, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney Canada, also welcomed the announcement and said the IEC will allow them to synergize with Pratt & Whitney Operations’ existing capabilities in India.

Pratt & Whitney has a significant presence in India, from engines used in aircraft to its engineering and operations facilities. Photo: Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney in India

Pratt & Whitney has a longstanding presence in India for almost seven decades. Its association with the country dates back to 1960, when Air India received delivery of its first Boeing 707 powered by Pratt & Whitney’s JT3D engines.

Currently, its product portfolio in India covers commercial aviation, regional/business aviation and military applications. On the IEC, UTCIPL Director General Ashmita Sethi said:

“Pratt & Whitney’s growth in the country represents our strong ties and deep respect for the skills India offers, the skills needed for the future of aviation.”

Indeed, with India soon to become the third largest aviation market and with all its engineering talent, Pratt & Whitney’s growing presence in the country seems like a step in the right direction.

What do you think of Pratt & Whitney’s latest investment in India? Let us know in the comments section below.