GE Aerospace to expand UK and European production capacity
Image courtesy GE Aerospace / Dowty
“This significant investment reflects our long-term commitment to the European aerospace industry, a crucial market for many of our key customers,” said Riccardo Procacci, President and CEO, Propulsion & Additive Technologies at GE Aerospace. “By expanding advanced manufacturing and testing capabilities across Europe, we are better positioned to meet growing customer demand while supporting the communities and economies where we operate.”
A substantial portion of the investment will be directed toward state-of-the-art engine test cells, advanced machining equipment, additive manufacturing expansion and upgrades to buildings and infrastructure. These enhancements will support multiple commercial narrow- and widebody engine programmes, as well as military fighter jet and helicopter engines.
Investments will be made across five European countries:
- United Kingdom – €10 million: upgrades to test and manufacturing equipment, expand electronics and component manufacturing capabilities and modernise building and infrastructure across multiple sites.
- Italy – €77 million: advanced manufacturing and testing capabilities for multiple commercial and defence engine programmes. This includes new and upgraded test cells, advanced machining equipment, additive manufacturing expansion and building improvements across multiple sites.
- Poland – €15 million: advanced grinding and machining equipment, extensive welding and inspection tooling and building improvements across multiple sites.
- Czech Republic – €8 million: precision machining and grinding systems, quality inspection technology, assembly tooling and building improvements.
- Romania – €3 million: multiple metal-cutting machines, tooling and fixtures, as well as building upgrades.
GE Aerospace also plans to invest approximately €40 million across its MRO and component repair facilities in Europe this year. This is part of a global $1 billion investment for MRO facilities first announced in 2024.
Parallel to its manufacturing investments, GE Aerospace is addressing the critical skills shortage in high-tech industries by investing to build a larger skilled workforce across Europe. It plans to hire more than 1,000 new workers across Europe this year.
These efforts focus on recruiting top talent and equipping today’s manufacturing workforce and future engineers through workforce training grants to vocational schools in the UK and Italy, reaching more than 800 students this year. GE Aerospace is also expanding its Next Engineers programme in Warsaw, Poland, which will ultimately reach more than 4,000 students.
“Our commitment extends beyond facilities and equipment, it is equally focused on our people. In an evolving industry, investing in skills, training and talent pipelines across Europe is not just a tactical necessity but a strategic imperative,” said Christian Meisner, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at GE Aerospace. “We are dedicated to ensuring that the European aerospace sector has the skilled workforce required to innovate, grow and deliver exceptional value to our customers for decades to come.”
Europe represents GE Aerospace's largest global footprint outside the United States, with operations in 18 countries and approximately 13,000 engineers, innovators and skilled manufacturers across assembly, MRO, engineering and additive manufacturing, including major sites in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Sweden and the UK.
The UK is home to GE Aerospace's subsidiary business, Dowty, as well as Europe’s largest MRO facility, Nantgarw, in Wales and another prominent MRO facility in Prestwick, Scotland.
UK Investment
The UK sites plan to invest in upgrades to test and manufacturing equipment, expand electronics and component manufacturing capabilities and modernise facilities to meet growing demand.
This includes building and infrastructure investments across multiple sites, with €7 million in Cheltenham, €1 million in Eastleigh and €2 million in Gloucester.
The investment follows the efforts made in 2025 when GE Aerospace donated £94,000 to support college training equipment at Farnborough College – helping around 700 students develop industry-ready aerospace skills – and $50,000 from the GE Aerospace Foundation to a Forces Employment charity, expanding career transition and employment support for veterans and their families.
GE Aerospace also plans to invest approximately €40 million across its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and component repair facilities in Europe this year. This is part of a global $1 billion investment for MRO facilities first announced in 2024.
Scott Keating, Regional GM, Sales & Business Development, Europe for Defense & Systems, GE Aerospace, said: “The investment in Cheltenham strengthens our ability to produce high-quality components and advanced aerospace technology for both civil and defense customers.
"Upgrading our test and manufacturing equipment, alongside modernising facilities, ensures we continue to meet growing demand, support UK readiness and encourages the next generation of skilled engineers.”
