Boeing has set its eyes on the Indian Navy’s carrier-based fighter programme. This became clear when it offered F/A 18 Block III Super Hornet with the same enhancements as given to the US Navy at the pre-Farnborough Air Show round table held virtually on July 15.

“The F/A-18 Super Hornet will enhance collaboration between the US Navy and Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR),” said vice president of International Sales for Strike, Surveillance and Mobility, Thom Breckenridge. “Boeing’s plan is to offer ‘By India, For India’ sustainment programme that will build on other successful sustainment programmes that Boeing is executing for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy today, to sustain, modify and upgrade F/A-18 Super Hornet from India,” added Breckenridge.

Briefly referring to the current geopolitical tensions on India’s borders and the Indian Ocean, the speakers iterated that Boeing considers India to be a very important market with significant opportunities. A press statement, released after the briefing, said that Boeing was committed to support as well as help the modernisation of Indian armed forces. During the round table, the US Navy’s selection of F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet with new enhancements was also discussed. Boeing has already delivered two of F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet flight test aircraft to the US Navy. The delivery for the remaining ones is scheduled for 2021. As per the press note, “By 2024, one squadron per carrier air wing will consist of Block III Super Hornets. The same Block III aircraft that is being built for the US Navy is on offer to Indian Navy.”

Breckenridge also discussed the five new enhancements or capabilities in the Block III version of F/A 18 aircraft. He stated that it now had an enhanced and advanced tropic system, an Advanced Cockpit System (ACS) which is an iPad of 11/19 inch, touchscreen, that can be configured and reconfigured to the pilot’s liking as well as to reflect that which needs to be reflected consistently. The new enhancements also improve aero performance with additional range. It has a new computer and data link by the name Distributed Targeting Processor Network (DTPN) which provide a networking platform. Block III has an enhanced airframe of 10,000 hours, which, Breckenridge said would be a long-term investment for customers. There are also improvements in the Radar section.