Soaring High

India is an important strategic market for Pratt & Whitney and the company continues to build on its long-standing history in India, says Palash Roy Chowdhury, MD - India, Pratt & Whitney

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Pratt & Whitney’s partnership with the Indian aerospace community spans more than seven decades. Briefly tell us about the journey so far.

Pratt & Whitney is part of United Technologies Corp., one of the world’s largest suppliers of aerospace engines, with an established presence in India. In the past seven decades, Pratt & Whitney has played an important role in India’s aviation growth story.

The company has been a partner in the progress of India’s aviation industry. The first Boeing 707-437 powered by our JT3D engine was delivered to Air India in 1960. Air India was the first carrier in the country to operate our PW4000 100-inch engines powering an Airbus A330. There are well over 100 aircraft in India powered by V2500 engines made by us and International Aero Engines AG, a consortium in which Pratt & Whitney is a majority shareholder. The company is now delivering the PurePower® Geared Turbofan™ engines for Airbus aircraft ordered by airlines in India. There are also 10 C-17 military transport aircraft in India that are powered by Pratt & Whitney’s F117 engines.

Pratt & Whitney Canada powers close to 400 aircraft in general aviation, business aviation, regional aircraft and helicopters in India. This includes small turboprop in PT6 class and PW127 and PW150 on Regional aircraft, PW300, PW500, PW600 turbofans on corporate jets and turboshaft engines like PT6B, PT6t and PW200. Pratt & Whitney Canada also powers the latest Turboprop trainers (Pilatus) inducted by Indian Air Force.