Boeing’s presence in India has been expanding rapidly both in civil and defence applications and the company has strategised itself to be part of the ecosystem of aerospace and defence. While at India Aviation in Hyderabad, the company focused on the civilian aspect, projecting figures of 1,740 new airplanes in India valued at $240 billion over the next 20 years, the military side too is excited about the opportunities that are fast opening up with many programmes coming its way.

Boeing and India have a strategic partnership that dates back 75 years. Boeing’s military aircraft are playing an important role in the modernisation and mission-readiness of India’s defence forces while its commercial airplanes provide the mainstay of India’s civil aviation sector. Boeing is focused on delivering value to its Indian customers with its advanced technologies and performance driven aircraft underscored by life-cycle support services. With a growing fleet of aircraft (both fixed- and rotary-wing) in India, Boeing Defense, Space and Security is affecting a major fundamental shift in its strategy here by increasing the sustainment activity.

Focus on Training and Services

The Vice President, India Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), Dennis D. Swanson told a media round table that Boeing is “really committed to grow this particular segment” by focusing on training and services. In the next few years, India is going to have over 100 aircraft and Boeing would be partnering with customers to ensure that the aircraft are constantly operational.

“Boeing is delivering state-of-the-art, reliable and missionready products and services to the Indian armed forces to support their fleet of C-17 strategic airlifters, P-8I aircraft and Harpoon missiles. Defexpo will give us an opportunity to understand our customers’ future requirements and explore opportunities with industry on how to develop the Indian aerospace sector by bringing the best of India to Boeing, and the best of Boeing to India,” he had stated before the event.

Sustainment an Ongoing Process

Explaining in detail the India strategy, Vinayak Rajagopal, India Leader, Global Services and Support, BDS, said that sustainment activity is not an afterthought but an ongoing effort, not just for Boeing platforms, but also non-Boeing platforms. In a 30-year life-cycle of an aircraft, future support of the aircraft is a critical element and it would cost about 70 per cent as against 30 per cent of the actual production cost.

Rajagopal said that in-country services and training would get accentuated in the near future based on (a) performance based contracting (making availability of aircraft at 80 per cent) (b) integrated supplier partnerships (c) commercial best practices (d) significant cost savings (e) increased readiness and (f) leverage the breadth and depth of Boeing. Presently, it is said that aircraft availability is between 50 and 60 per cent. “We can go beyond 90 per cent, but there is a trade cost-off and other operational issues which need to be taken into consideration and that is left to the end customer.” The aircraft availability percentage varies depending on the platforms too.

Rotorcraft Support Programme, Next Big Thing

The next major programme in India, he said, would be helicopter inductions (Apache), expected to happen in two to three years’ time and Boeing Rotorcraft Support which is present in nine worldwide locations, would add one more in India. The company was focused on total training solutions (whether it was full motion simulators / weapon systems, part test trainers etc), he said and added that Boeing was working on setting up a C-17 training centre and subsequently for the Apache helicopters.

Rajagopal stated that the company wanted to capitalise on the success of the Globemaster integrated sustainment programme (GISP), C-17 programme, and tailor it to the requirements of Indian Navy (presently the Indian Air Force is using it) and subsequently on the Apache and other platforms that would be inducted over the next few years. The company was installing a simulator in Gurgaon and this is likely to be ready by May this year.

“We want to create a strong India infrastructure services base,” Rajagopal said and mentioned that with regard to MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) the company was talking to different players such as GMR, Air India. Right now, Boeing has a tie-up with Airworks.

Strengthening Local Capabilities

Boeing’s philosophy is to have global presence with strengthening local capabilities and it continues to work in this direction. At Defexpo, it showcased a range of advanced aerospace and defence products and services and highlight its commitment to ‘Make in India,’ ‘Skill India,’ and ‘Startup India’. Boeing presented advanced capabilities in multi-role fighter aircraft, attack and heavy-lift helicopters, transport aircraft, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, weapons and unmanned systems that are best suited to boost the mission-readiness and modernisation of the Indian armed forces.

The main focus of Boeing’s participation is on collaborative achievements that are putting India on a new trajectory of manufacturing advanced and complex aerospace parts and components.

Manufacturing & Engineering Footprint

“Boeing is accelerating its manufacturing and engineering footprint in India and concurrently encouraging the development of an indigenous aerospace and defence ecosystem by working closely with partners,” said Pratyush Kumar, President Boeing India. “Our industrial partnership programme is focused on capitalising on India’s competencies to build a supply-chain capability that is globally competitive. This will support our aerospace and defence programmes across the Boeing enterprise.”

Boeing’s sourcing from India has doubled since ‘Make in India’ was launched in September 2014 and now stands at more than half a billion dollars a year. By 2020, Boeing expects that sourcing will increase by four times the 2014 level.

Boeing’s Defexpo exhibit included large-scale models, displays and smart panel content of the CH-47F Chinook, AH-64E Apache, MV-22 Osprey, P-8, w, ScanEagle unmanned airborne system and Harpoon missile system. In addition, there were demonstrations of the Central Maintenance Computer and Virtual Maintenance Trainer, highlighting services and support offerings.