Interview | Spokesperson, the Boeing Company

As part of our proposed F/A-18 Super Hornet ‘Make in India’ plan, Boeing will not shift an existing Super Hornet production line to India, but will create an entirely new facility

F/A-18 Super Hornet

How can Boeing help in building India’s defence-industrial capacities?

At Boeing, our overall strategy in India is to be embedded as a long-term partner contributing to the growth of the local aerospace industry ecosystem and harnessing India’s full potential as an industrial base. We have significantly invested in developing India’s indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem over the years. We support the country’s aspirations for manufacturing, skilling and innovation. Our suppliers in India manufacture critical components for some of the world’s most advanced commercial airplanes and defence platforms.

Boeing’s joint venture, Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) is already delivering entire fuselages for the AH-64 Apache, the world’s most advanced combat helicopter.

Let’s take the example of building a fighter ecosystem in India. The key to successful ‘Make in India’ in Aerospace & Defence is to have a globally competitive manufacturing base in the country. In our experience, the ability of a vendor to deliver the jets on time, with world-class quality is directly proportional to the maturity of the manufacturing base. Growing this competitive industrial capability takes time and investment. It doesn’t happen overnight. Today, Boeing has over 160 suppliers in India who provide parts and assemblies for some of Boeing’s most advanced airplanes and platforms.




As part of our proposed F/A-18 Super Hornet ‘Make in India’ plan, Boeing will not shift an existing Super Hornet production line to India, but will create an entirely new facility. This advanced manufacturing facility, when completed, will be the premier Super Hornet production facility in the world. Additionally, capability created through the Super Hornet and this ‘Factory of the Future’ will prove to be invaluable to the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Boeing’s partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Mahindra for the Super Hornet will bring Boeing, HAL and MDS’ global scale and supply chain, Boeing’s best-in-industry precision manufacturing processes, as well as the unrivalled experience designing and optimising aerospace production facilities to realise the ‘Make in India’ vision.

Boeing seeks a big role in developing a future ready workforce in India for the aerospace and defence industry. Boeing-funded curriculums and initiatives have already been launched with relevant aerospace partners such as Rossell Techsys, TAML and Jaivel to train workers on aerospace-relevant skills. Boeing as part of the annual Boeing-IIT National Aeromodeling Competition for engineering universities across India provides training to students and helps them design, build and fly their airplanes, encouraging them to take to aerospace careers.

 

What is the scope of work at Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center in Bengaluru? Does it also carry out pure research? What is the current strength of the Centre?

Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) in Bengaluru, India consists of a talented pool of employees who support Boeing’s engineering growth in strong global markets. BIETC is growing rapidly and expected to employ over 5000 engineers in the coming years.

These engineers handle complex and advanced aerospace technology work that support diverse areas such as aircraft test and evaluation, avionics design, data analytics for next-generation airplane health management, innovation in Internet of Things (IoT) and digital transformation, and development of software tools that help airlines improve their operations and help decongest airports. BIETC performs mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering for current and future aircraft.

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