Pratt and Whitney names Ashish Saraf as India head

American aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney has named Ashish Saraf as its vice-president and India head.

In his new role, Saraf will oversee the company’s strategic initiatives and expansion efforts in India.

As Pratt and Whitney’s senior leader in India, Saraf will be responsible for driving growth across key business functions, including engineering, supply chain, customer service, operations, and digital transformation, the company said in a statement.

Before joining Pratt and Whitney, Saraf was country director and chairman of Thales India, where he led operations spanning aerospace, defense, biometrics, cybersecurity, and the company’s global capability center.

Saraf brings over two decades of experience in consulting and industry roles, with expertise in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing.

His earlier leadership positions include roles at Airbus, the Tata-Sikorsky joint venture, and Deloitte Consulting, where he worked on strategy and operations for clients in the US and Europe.

“Over the past four years, Pratt & Whitney has invested more than $40 million to expand its capabilities in India across engineering, digital transformation, supply chain, and aftermarket services,” said Satheeshkumar Kumarasingam, chief digital officer at Pratt and Whitney. “Ashish’s broad experience and leadership will be instrumental as we continue our growth journey in India.”

Pratt and Whitney has about 800 employees in India who support nearly 600 aircraft across commercial, regional, and defense sectors, including the Airbus A320neo, ATR 72, and Indian Air Force platforms like the C-295 and C-17 Globemaster III.

Pratt & Whitney is a part of RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense group, including Collins Aerospace and Raytheon.