‘Creating an aerospace ecosystem and improving the rate of world-class infrastructure development is critical to the success of this industry’
What are your current programmes in India?
Collins Aerospace, a unit of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defence industry. Created in 2018 by bringing together UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins, Collins Aerospace has helped shape the aerospace and defence industry in pivotal ways.
In India, Collins Aerospace has established a large manufacturing facility in Bengaluru and engineering facilities in both Bengaluru and Hyderabad that supports our strategic business units.
How are your manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad doing?
Collins Aerospace’ manufacturing facility in Bengaluru and engineering facilities in both Bengaluru and Hyderabad are doing very well. The Bengaluru facility established in 1997 is an integrated manufacturing, engineering and sourcing hub for Collins Aerospace. Products manufactured there include aircraft evacuation systems, aircraft interior and exterior lighting, cargo systems, pilot and cabin attendant seats, flight control motors, actuation systems and avionics. Additionally, the engineering centres in Hyderabad and Bengaluru provide engineering support to all parts of the company, including avionics, e-business, IT and new product development.
What potential do you see in exporting from India? What according to you are the challenges to that?
The aerospace and aviation industry is poised to grow significantly over the next two decades, and there is tremendous potential for India to export solutions globally. We have achieved great strides in making the country more business-friendly. Creating an aerospace ecosystem and improving the rate of world-class infrastructure development is critical to the success of this industry.
How do you view ‘Make in India’? How can it be turned into a mutually beneficial proposition between Indian industry and the OEMs?
Collins Aerospace has been ‘Making in India’ for over two decades now and we are a major exporter of aerospace products. We have helped establish many aerospace-quality suppliers in the region who now manufacture world-class products for us and other companies around the world. India has a very talented workforce and both Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and the Indian industry can benefit from engaging this talent.