The world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, defence, space and security systems, Boeing is committed to develop F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet, KC-46A tanker, P-8I and AH-64E Apache to develop advanced defence capabilities for the Indian defence forces
The company aims to provide end-to-end digital solutions for the Indian defense forces. Boeing’s advanced aircraft play an important role in mission-readiness for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. Boeing is focused on delivering advanced technologies and create sustainable value in the Indian aerospace sector.
Over the last five years, Boeing has quadrupled its growth in India and is the source for $1 billion worth of advanced defence platforms like the F/A-18, F-15, P-8I, CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache made in India. The Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited joint venture has increased production of fuselages and aero structures for the AH-64 Apache.
“An important part of our India strategy is ensuring our defence customers have the most advanced platforms and capabilities, supported by a services model that optimizes mission readiness, high performance and safety,” said Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India. “Another element of our strategy is to harness talent, innovation, engineering and productivity advantages that India offers to build a globally competitive aerospace and defence ecosystem that creates jobs and industrial capacity with Make in India.”
Boeing’s product basket for the Indian defence forces includes the next generation F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet fighter that brings cutting edge warfighter technologies to India. The F/A-18 on offer to the Indian Navy, is fully compatible with Indian Navy carriers and will is expected to augment the growing Indo-US defence and maritime relationship.
Boeing also affirmed its commitment to provide data-based information for empowered decision support and optimization of operations and missions for the Indian armed forces.
Boeing’s key result areas KRAs in India include:
- Support the modernization of Indian armed forces with cutting-edge platforms like F/A-18 Super Hornet, KC-46 tanker, P-8I, AH-64E Apache and CH-47(I) Chinook.
- Increase existing sustainment and training capabilities to deliver high level of mission availability for platforms such as the AH-64E Apache, CH-47(I) Chinook, C-17 and P-8I.
- Ensure local service capabilities to ensure last-mile reach and maximum readiness
- Leverage data analytics and digital solutions to provide predictive maintenance in the Indian defense forces
- Increase the manufacturing and engineering footprint in India, and commitment to support the “Make in India” programme.
According to Boeing Defence India, managing director, Surendra Ahuja the recent induction of the CH-47F (I) Chinook heavy-lift and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters by the Indian Air Force, has underlined the need for launching local rotorcraft training and support facilities
“We are committed to working with our customers to provide holistic solutions for their defence aircraft and services with the right capability, advanced technologies and cost structure. We have accelerated our efforts to set up a local sustained support footprint in India to be more responsive to our customers’ needs,” said Ahuja. “Boeing’s existing platforms in India, the P-8I and C-17 are operated by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and are experiencing high mission readiness rates as a result of Boeing’s commitment to services and support.”
The Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center (BIETC) in Bengaluru and Chennai undertake advanced aerospace work and support Boeing’s global engineering growth. Boeing has made strategic investments in an upcoming wholly owned engineering and technology campus with future avionics manufacturing and assembly capability in Bengaluru. Engineers at BIETC are helping create analytics tools for defence customers to make critical and informed decisions.
