Managing Director, Boeing Defence India, Nikhil Joshi
What makes P-8I an essential asset for the Indian Navy, especially considering the evolving maritime security threats in the Indo-Pacific region?
The P-8I is designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. With a fleet of 12 P-8Is, the Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its ability to secure and protect its vast coastline while playing a larger role in regional maritime security. This patrol aircraft, a critical asset in the navy’s fleet, has logged over 40,000 flight hours since its induction. The P-8I’s ISR capabilities have also proven invaluable during disaster relief and humanitarian missions. Overall, the P-8I has provided the Indian Navy with a decisive edge in the strategically vital Indian Ocean region. With a range of over 1,200 nautical miles, the P-8I enables the navy to conduct extensive maritime surveillance, covering areas from the east coast of Africa to the busy trade routes of the Malacca Strait.
How does Boeing ensure the operational readiness of its aircraft and support the Indian armed forces in sustaining their fleets?
Cost-effective solutions, timely support, and flawless execution are central to BDI’s commitment to its customers. As Boeing’s dedicated local entity in India, Boeing Defence India (BDI) provides holistic lifecycle solutions, including timely maintenance, repairs, and access to technological advancements. These services ensure high fleet availability and mission readiness, enabling the Indian armed forces to effectively safeguard national security. We are working with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy (IN) to provide operational capability and readiness for the P-8Is, the C-17s, the Head of State aircraft and the Chinooks and Apaches. Boeing’s integrated logistics support is already enabling the highest levels of fleet readiness. We support the IAF’s C-17 fleet under the Globemaster Integrated Support Program (GISP), that maintains high mission capability rates, by providing them access to an extensive support network for parts availability and economies of scale.
Boeing provides comprehensive C-17 Globemaster III training solutions for aircrews and loadmasters with advanced simulation, courseware and computer-based training. C-17 operators can practice the complete range of tasks required for tactical military airlift operations and humanitarian missions, along with mission rehearsal of all scenarios including emergency procedures. Boeing’s in-country C-17 training centre has completed thousands of training hours for aircrews and loadmasters. Boeing also offers long-term Performance Based Logistics (PBL) solutions for the platforms, namely, P-8I, Apache and Chinook, with a promise to provide similar levels of availability currently provided for the C-17 fleet through our GISP programme. Boeing also offers training on platform simulators, just as we do today for the C-17 platform.
PBL strategies have a proven track record of transforming the legacy transactional support between Boeing and its customers, to solutions that increase aircraft availability, resolve Aircraft On-Ground (AOG) situations, and reduce the life-cycle cost of operating defence aircraft. PBLs translate to higher aircraft availability through better utilisation of inventory and the requirement for fewer spare parts. Specifically for India, a PBL strategy will help resolve operational issues and enable further growth of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening India’s national defence industry. Boeing has globally executed over 12 Apache, and over six Chinook PBLs, bringing over 30 years of experience to enable long-term success of vertical lift readiness in India.
Notably, our offerings of the PBL solutions (referred variously as, Aircraft Support Agreement (ASA), Aircraft Maintenance Contract (AMC) or Comprehensive Maintenance Contract (CMC) include our digital offering—Mission Accelerator (MA). MA helps enhance the availability of platforms significantly by providing predictability into maintenance. It also helps in the operations and training of aircrew.
What truly stands out on the sustainment programmes is the overwhelmingly positive feedback we are receiving from our defence customers in India on the significant value our platforms and support ecosystem bring to their missions, which fills us with pride and deep satisfaction.
How does Boeing’s approach to building local MRO capabilities support the Indian Armed Forces’ operational needs and contribute to strengthening indigenous defence capabilities?
Boeing tailors its MRO services for Indian defence customers by providing highly flexible, responsive, and localised solutions to meet their specific operational demands. Our approach includes a combination of advanced capabilities, local partnerships, and strategic investments in technology and infrastructure. Key elements include:
Localised support: The Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) programme enables engineering, maintenance, skilling, repair and sustainment services of defence and commercial aircraft in India. The BIRDS hub is designed as a network of local suppliers, creating a robust MRO ecosystem for defence and commercial aircraft. This initiative establishes industry benchmarks for maintenance, platform availability, customer satisfaction, and rapid turnaround times.
Customized offerings: Our integrated logistics support and long-term Performance Based Logistics (PBL) solutions for platforms such as P-8I, Apache, and Chinook, promise to provide the same high level of availability currently offered to the Indian Air Force C-17 fleet through our Globemaster Integrated Support Program (GISP). Our PBL solutions, including Next Generation Product Support, increase efficiency, minimise downtime, reduce lifecycle costs, and enhance combat effectiveness.
Skilling and training: To ensure long-term sustainability, Boeing conducts training programmes for Indian technicians and engineers, particularly through its network of suppliers and MRO partners. Further, a vital component of the BIRDS hub includes training programmes that enhance skilled labour by developing sub-tier suppliers and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This helps build a skilled workforce capable of maintaining and servicing the latest technologies.
Advanced Technologies and Innovations: With a substantial portion of Boeing’s global talent pool situated in India, Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) is instrumental in delivering customised digital solutions for Indian customers while also generating intellectual property locally. It plays a key role in supporting BDI by addressing critical engineering requirements, driving operations and service engineering, fostering co-development, and advancing indigenous aerospace programmes.
How does the BIETC support Boeing’s defence platforms used by armed forces in India and around the world?
Boeing is driving aerospace innovation in India through the expertise of engineers and technologists at the BIETC in Bengaluru and Chennai. This talented workforce supports key defence platforms, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet, P-8I, F-15, KC-46, AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, and other aerospace programmes, not just for India, but for the world.
With a substantial portion of Boeing’s global talent pool situated in India, BIETC is instrumental in delivering customised digital solutions for Indian customers while also generating intellectual property locally. It plays a key role in supporting BDI by addressing critical engineering requirements, driving operations and service engineering, fostering co-development, and advancing indigenous aerospace programmes. To stay ahead of evolving needs, we continuously invest in skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling programmes, empowering our workforce to deliver world-class solutions and contribute to India’s aerospace growth.
BIETC serves as a hub for advanced R&D, digital innovation, and engineering excellence across defence, space, and commercial sectors. Our engineers utilise cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, IoT, Cloud, Model-Based Engineering, and Additive Manufacturing, with a steadfast focus on quality, safety, and productivity. In January 2024, the Indian Prime Minister inaugurated our 43-acre engineering and technology campus in Bengaluru, built with a USD200 million investment.