At the end of March, GE Aerospace announced plans to invest over €78 million in its European production facilities in 2025. Italy will receive the largest share of this funding, with up to €55.6 million earmarked for expanding test benches, modernising instrumentation, purchasing new equipment, and implementing artificial intelligence-based inspection technologies. The investment aims to enhance the reliability and precision of components for commercial and military aircraft engines, including those for helicopters and fighter aircraft.
In Poland, the company will invest €11.6 million in modernising infrastructure, purchasing machinery and structures to support the production of components for aircraft and military engines. In our country, it is important not only to increase operational capacity, but also to improve the quality and continuity of production, which directly translates into supply chain stability and a reduced risk of downtime.
€5.4 million will be invested in the Czech Republic to support the production of turboprop engine components by purchasing machinery and upgrading buildings. In the UK, €3.3 million will be invested in developing production lines for new propeller components and systems. In Romania, €2.3 million will be invested in precision metalworking equipment and expanding tooling facilities.
These investments will collectively generate over 500 new job opportunities by 2025, spanning not only operational roles but also positions in testing, quality control, and the development of new production technologies.
Riccardo Procacci, president and CEO of propulsion and incremental technologies at GE Aerospace, points out that this significant new investment will ensure that the company continues to meet the evolving needs of the European aerospace industry, while also highlighting the company’s strong presence in local communities and its long-term economic commitment.
The entire initiative forms part of GE Aerospace’s broader strategy. In 2024 alone, the company invested €64 million in manufacturing and a further €122 million in MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facilities. This demonstrates that the current allocation of resources is part of a consistent plan to expand technological capabilities in Europe. Importantly, these investments are coupled with the extensive digitalisation and automation of processes — for instance, the implementation of advanced, AI-supported inspection techniques. This is important not only for quality, but also for reducing production cycle times.
From the perspective of the industrial workforce, training future employees is equally important. The company currently trains around 100 people per year through apprenticeship programmes in Poland and the UK, among other countries. With the expansion of the Next Engineers education programme to Poland, as well as its support for the ITS Academy in Turin, GE Aerospace is having a significant impact on the development of future generations of engineers and technicians.
Photo credit: GE Aerospace
