With the recent deliveries of military aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift aircraft and P-8I maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft, Boeing has begun to play a significant role in the mission-readiness and modernisation of the Indian armed forces

India is one of the top countries for Boeing internationally in terms of market potential as well as the ability to harness the talent, innovation and aerospace capabilities that exist in the country. Boeing has steadily increased its presence in India over the last 70 years in both commercial and defence markets to bring the best of Boeing to India and the best of India to Boeing.

With the recent deliveries of military aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift aircraft and P-8I maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft, Boeing has begun to play a significant role in the mission-readiness and modernisation of the Indian armed forces. The first P-8I maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft was delivered to the Indian Navy in 2013, with seven more deliveries due by 2015. The P-8I is an India-unique variant of the US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon, which has been developed on the Boeing 737-800 platform. The Indian Government purchased eight Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft in a contract signed in January 2009.

India’s Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the US Government in June 2011 to acquire ten Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Three of these have already been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) this year and the remaining seven aircraft will be delivered by 2014. Procurement of the ten C-17 Globemaster III for the IAF is the largest defence contract signed by the Indian Government with the United States Government.

Boeing’s defence portfolio also extends to AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, Harpoon missiles, unmanned systems, security solutions, airborne early warning and control systems, support and services and network-centric operating systems.

In the regime of industrial cooperation, Boeing is collaborating with India’s public sector companies like the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) as well as major private sector companies like the Tata Group, Larsen & Toubro, Dynamatic Technologies and Avantel. These industrial partners and suppliers are raising the bar to deliver world-class quality by imbibing the best practices, and apart from driving efficiency and productivity are becoming an important part of the company’s worldwide supply chain for some of the most advanced aircraft in the world.

Boeing’s relationship with HAL began in 1991, when the Indian aerospace major became the single-source producer of 757 over-wing exit doors. HAL manufactures the 777 gear uplock box, 777 flaperons, F/A-18 gun-bay doors, F/A-18 wire harnesses; P-8I weapons bay doors, P-8I tail cones and P-8I identification friend-or-foe transponders.

BEL has delivered the Indian-designed Data Link II for the P-8I, a communications system that will enable exchange of tactical data and messages between the Indian Navy aircraft, ships and shore establishments. BEL has also delivered the identification friend-or-foe interrogator, a battle management system that will enable P-8I aircraft to identify friendly aircraft and forces. Finally, BEL is on contract to provide F/A-18 flight deck cockpit panels.

Boeing opened the Boeing Analysis & Experimentation Centre (A&E Centre) in partnership with BEL in February 2009. Based in Bengaluru, the centre provides defence experimentation and decision support services to understand the future war-fighting needs of the Indian armed forces. The centre is staffed by former Indian military personnel along with modelling and simulation engineers from Boeing. ECIL provides the speech secrecy systems for the P-8I.

In addition to defence public sector undertakings, private companies play a large role in Boeing’s industrial strategy. Dynamatic Technologies and Tata Advanced Materials Limited (TAML) have already delivered P-8I power and mission equipment cabinets. TAML is also on contract to provide P-8I auxiliary power unit door fairings. Dynamatic Technologies also manufactures the aft pylon and cargo ramp assemblies for Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook. Avantel delivers the mobile satellite systems for the P 8I. Maini and TAL Manufacturing Solutions are on contract to provide ground support equipment for the C-17 Globemaster III.

Going forward, we remain focused on executing our programmes, working closely with our customers on their defence and security priorities as well as on expanding our partnerships with the Indian industry.