MTU Aero Engines

What they do

MTU Aero Engines develops, makes and maintains aircraft engines. It does not sell engines under its own name; it takes risk-and-revenue shares in programmes led by Pratt & Whitney and General Electric, and supplies whole modules. It also runs one of the world's largest commercial engine maintenance businesses and is the German partner on the Eurofighter's EJ200. Adjusted revenue rose 16 per cent to a record 8.7 billion euros in 2025, and it employs more than 14,000 people.

Why it matters

In 2011 MTU took an 18 per cent share in the PW1100G-JM geared turbofan for the Airbus A320neo family. MTU supplies the entire low-pressure turbine, the first four stages of the high-pressure compressor and the brush seals, and assembles about one third of all PW1100G-JM engines in Munich. MTU says it is the sole worldwide supplier of the engine's low-pressure turbine; in September 2025 its Polish plant shipped the 5,000th such module. The GTF family has over 12,000 orders and commitments.

The low-pressure turbine is the hardest part of the geared turbofan story. Because a gearbox sits between fan and turbine, the turbine can spin far faster than in a conventional engine, which allows fewer stages and lower weight but demands very precise aerodynamics and materials. MTU calls it the high-speed low-pressure turbine. Its Polish plant at Tajęcina near Rzeszów also makes blades and shrouds and supports MTU engineering and repair development. The new GTF Advantage version promises up to twice the time on wing of the current engine and 4 to 8 per cent more take-off thrust.

• Low-pressure turbines and high-pressure compressors for the GTF.
• Shares in the V2500 and GEnx engines.
• EJ200 military engine for the Eurofighter.
• MTU Maintenance engine overhaul services.

The German angle

MTU dates its origins to 1934, when BMW Flugmotorenbau was spun off from BMW. The modern MTU München was formed in 1969 from the aero-engine and high-speed diesel activities of MAN and Daimler-Benz. Its headquarters remain in Munich-Allach. In September 2026 United Airlines received the first A321XLR with the GTF Advantage engine, built at Airbus in Hamburg with MTU technology on board.

Sources

• MTU: 18 percent share in PW1100G-JM
• SP's Airbuz: MTU celebrates 5,000th low-pressure turbine
• MTU: Latest IR news
• Wikipedia: MTU Aero Engines