RAKSHA ANIRVEDA
IN CONVERSATION
‘BOEING HAS BEEN A STRONG PARTNER IN MISSION READINESS AND MODERNIZATION OF INDIA’S DEFENCE FORCES’
S
urendra Ahuja is the Managing Director of Boeing Defence India (BDI). A retired Rear Admiral, Ahuja is in charge of delivering on Boeing’s commitments to its Indian defence customers while positioning it for new business opportunities. In an interview to Raksha Anirveda, he dwelt upon Boeing’s commitment towards India’s defense programs. Edited excerpts.
Please provide an update on Boeing Defence activities in India including sourcing activities and partnerships with Indian firms? India is at the front and center of significant opportunities for Boeing. Boeing has been a strong partner in the mission readiness and modernization of the country’s defence forces. Our proven portfolio of products and services offer unmatched operational capabilities across the entire mission spectrum. Today, India has 11 C-17 Globemaster IIIs, eight P-8Is (with four more on order), 22 AH-64E Apaches (with six more on order) and 15 CH-47F(I) Chinooks, all Boeing platforms. Our sourcing from India stands at US$1 billion a year from more than 225 suppliers who are manufacturing critical systems and components for some of Boeing’s most advanced products. We are working closely with our suppliers in India to support supply chain health, identify new ways to drive innovation, and deliver greater value to our customers. Boeing continues to grow a globally competitive supplier base in India, with strong partnerships that are aligned with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) in Hyderabad, Boeing’s joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), 74
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is manufacturing Apache fuselages for customers around the globe. Dynamatic Technologies manufactures the ramp and complex aft pylon for the Chinook heavylift helicopters. Similarly, Rossell Techsys manufactures wire harness and electrical panel for the AH-64 Apache, and the harness for V-22 Osprey. SASMOS HET Technologies manufactures electrical panel assemblies and wire harness for the F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-15 Strike Eagle. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) manufactures F/A-18 gun bay doors and
wire harnesses, and P-8I weapons bay doors and identification friend-or-foe transponders. These are just a few examples of the work done by our Indian suppliers. What is the update on deliveries of Apache, Chinook and P-8I for the Indian armed forces? Boeing completed the deliveries of all AH-64E Apache and CH-47F (I) Chinook military helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) this year. The final five of the 22 Apache attack helicopters were handed over to the IAF in July. Earlier in March, Boeing handed over the last five of 15 CH-47F (I) Chinook heavylift helicopters to the IAF. The Indian Navy (IN) currently operates a fleet of eight P-8Is with four more on order. The first of the four aircraft will be delivered this year, and the remaining three in 2021. Now that there are a large number of P-8Is and C-17s in India, how is Boeing looking to involve local Indian personnel and companies in their maintenance? 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 and the Head of State aircraft through sustenance contracts and for the Chinook and Apache fleets through warranty support. Ensuring mission readiness of our customers and providing them seamless services and support on our platforms is an imperative for Boeing. Boeing’s local sustainment support footprint is enhancing responsiveness on sustainment and training contracts.
10/12/2020 7:36:01 AM