Pratt &Whitney opens USD 36 mn engineerign centre in Bengaluru

Aircraft engine maker Pratt & Whitney on Thursday announced the opening of its USD 36-million new India Engineering Centre (IEC) in Bengaluru.

Co-located in Yelahanka with the Pratt & Whitney India Capability Centre (ICC), opened last year to provide integrated global supply chain support, and the recently-inaugurated Collins Aerospace engineering and global operations centre, the new facility will work closely with centres in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Poland.

Pratt & Whitney is a part of Raytheon Technologies.

The IEC further enhances Raytheon Technologies' combined presence in India of over 5,000 employees and facilitates collaboration across the company's businesses, the company said.

"The company is making significant investments towards building a stronger aerospace ecosystem in-country. Beyond the over USD 40 million in financial investment in both the IEC and co-located India Capability Center, we are collaborating with local universities and investing in emerging technology companies to further enhance India's homegrown capabilities," said Ashmita Sethi, Managing Director at United Technologies Corporation India Pvt Ltd (UTCIPL).

More than 50 employees are now based in the facility, with an additional 450 jobs to be filled over the next four years, it said in the statement on Thursday.

The IEC is expected to employ 500 engineers and professionals when fully staffed, the company said last year.

The latest centre will encompass elements such as aero and mechanical and control systems for various products in Pratt & Whitney's broad portfolio of large and small commercial engines. It will also extend across the entire product lifecycle from development to field support and sustainment, as per the statement.

"The Indian aviation market is growing at a rapid pace and Bengaluru is a hub for that growth. The work conducted at the IEC – by some of India's best and brightest minds – will support technology that will drive the future of flight," said Geoff Hunt, senior vice president for engineering at Pratt & Whitney.

"The IEC will fully integrate with our existing global engineering footprint across Canada, Puerto Rico and Poland to advance world-class technology such as the geared turbofan and other sustainable propulsion solutions," said Paul Weedon, vice president for engine development at Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.

The IEC team will be key to improving commercial engine performance, extending time on the wing, reducing airline operating costs, and decreasing fuel consumption, he said and added that the opening of the IEC further illustrates Raytheon Technologies' long history of investing in India.

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