Thaindian News

Bangalore, Feb 8 (IANS) US aerospace major Boeing said Tuesday it aimed to firmly establish India’s industrial position in the international aerospace supply chain. “Boeing is uniquely positioned to engage common supplier partners for civil aviation and defence products, which will accelerate quality and capability,” said Boeing India President Dinesh Keskar at a media briefing on the eve of AeroIndia 2011.

“This will strengthen India’s focus in building aerospace products,” Keskar said, outlining a comprehensive strategy to develop this country’s industrial capabilities, with a keen focus on the indigenous aerospace community.

He said Boeing’s deeper industry engagement with India had increased in parallel with the strategic US-India relationship. The company’s offset commitment of $2.3 billion was a catalyst to spur technology development and job creation, and to firmly establish India’s industrial position in the international aerospace supply chain, he added.

“As Boeing’s defence business expands internationally, especially in Asia, we are investing considerable effort and resources to be successful in our industrial engagement strategies,” Boeing Defence, Space and Security Vice President (International Business Development) Mark Kronenberg said.

“India is a very integral part of our strategy and we will continue to work with our Indian customers and the industry to meet our commitments,” he noted.

India, Boeing says, represents a $31-billion addressable market over the next 10 years. In addition to offering the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the current $10.4-billion tender for the Indian Air Force’s medium multi-role combat aircraft competition, the company has also positioned the C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift aircraft, the Apache attack helicopter and the Chinook heavy-lift helicopter. The company has already won a contract for the P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the Indian Navy.

Boeing is also eyeing opportunities in the areas of homeland security, unmanned systems, cyber security, space, and services and support. On the commercial side, Boeing’s forecast for airplanes amounts to $130 billion in the next 20 years.

Boeing is working with top India manufacturers such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Tata companies, and Larson and Toubro to build several key components, including flaperons for the B-777, gun bay doors for the F-18 and floor beams for the B-787 Dreamliner.

Boeing has also increased its investment in training its partners in lean manufacturing and programme management skills. Through its research and technology center in Bangalore, Boeing is developing fundamental research in materials, avionics and aerostructures in partnership with premium academic institutes like the Indian Institute of Science.

Boeing plans to expand the number of capable suppliers within the public and private sectors in India and insert capability where there are gaps to broaden the base of indigenous capability and increase the global competitiveness of India’s supply base, the two company officials said.