Boeing’s traditional ties with indian military on the upswing
‘Make in India’ is a core element of Boeing’s business strategy and the company is capitalising on Indian talent.
The Indian Air Force ( IAF) and Boeing share a relationship that goes back to the 1940s when the T-6 Texan or Harvard Advanced Trainer made by North American Aviation and the C-47 Skytrain military transport, a military variant of the DC-3, made by McDonnell Douglas, were enlisted by the Indian Air Force. The Apache is the most capable multi- role combat helicopter, combining performance and lethality with more affordable and efficient maintenance. It will provide the Indian Air Force with enhanced dominant force projection capabilities and will address the full spectrum of conflict to peacekeeping and nation building.
The tandem rotor H-47 Chinook is the most capable, advanced heavy-lift helicopter in the world, providing maximum value at the low- est risk. The H-47 Chinook offers India heavy-lift and high- altitude transportation for a multitude of military, humanitarian, rescue, disaster relief, fire-fighting and nation-building missions in all climates andconditions and altitudes. The aircraft is ideally suited for India’s vast distances, austere environments and high altitudes.
Dynamatic Technologies manufactures the ramp and pylon for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in India. Boeing’s joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), called TATA Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), will manufacture aerostructures for the Apache in Hyderabad. The joint venture will eventually be the sole producer of AH-64 fuselages globally, beginning deliveries in 2018. Both aircraft have demonstrated an excellent record in supporting the missions they have been deployed for. Both aircraft were at the forefront of rescue and humanitarian aid efforts in the natural disasters that affected several Indian states in the past two years. The C-17 was deployed to evacuate people and deliver relief supplies in these humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. The P-8I has been used extensively in maritime reconnaissance missions by the Indian Navy, including performing aerial reconnaissance and gathering data for planning relief efforts.
With the establishment of the C-17 Simulator Training Center in Gurgaon by Boeing and Mahindra Defence Systems in July this year, Indian Air Force C-17 air crews can now receive training on the full motion simulator with advanced simulation, courseware and computer-based training to practice the complete range of tasks required for military airlift operations and humanitarian missions, along with other scenarios such as aerial refueling and emergency procedures. The simulator’s flight deck supports training with night vision goggles for comprehensive mission training. When Boeing looks at advantages across the world in quality, capability and cost, India is an obvious partner. “Make in India” is a core element of Boeing’s business strategy. Therefore, Boeing has accelerated its pace of investments, capitalising on Indian capability and talent. Boeing’s sourcing from India has doubled in recent years and now stands close to half a billion dollars a year.
Boeing has been working with suppliers in India for over two decades in manufacturing, IT and engineering services. Today, there are over 30 suppliers providing parts and assemblies covering commodities such as aerostructures, wire harness, composites, forgings, avionics mission systems, and ground support equipment.
Since 2008, Boeing’s engagement with suppliers has increased substantially for commercial and defence aircraft such as the 777, 787, P-8, F/A-18, F-15, and CH-47 Chinook. Some of the work our Indian partners are delivering for Boeing is indicative of the complex manufacturing capabilities that Indian companies are capable of developing for the global market. Boeing has been working with Tata Advanced Materials, Dynamatic Technologies, Bharat Forge, Bharat Electronics, Tata Advanced Systems, Hindustan Aeronautics, TAL Manufacturing Solutions, Rossell Techsys, Sasmos etc., illustrating the varied aerospace capabilities Boeing is helping build in its Indian supply-chain. Skilled workforce in the aerospace sector is the need of the nation as it moves towards realising the “Make in India” agenda. To address this critical need for skills development, Boeing has partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation India (NSDC) and the Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) to provide world-class vocational training to frontline factory workers, and also offers onthe-job training for them with its industrial partners.
Boeing launched a national aero-modeling competition for engineering universities across India in 2013 to build real- time machines. The competition, now in its third year, teaches young talent to integrate their classroom lessons across engineering disciplines, into a fully functional model aircraft. Such practical preparation teaches students to compete and deliver for the global aerospace industry. More than 670 students participated in the competition in 2016. A current priority for Boeing is to rapidly scale up its advanced engineering center in Bangalore.
Evolved partnerships with academia and industry have resulted in establishing two research centers — the Aerospace Network Research Consortium (ANRC) at Bangalore and the National Centre for Aerospace Innovation and Research (NCAIR) with IIT Bombay in Mumbai. NCAIR has spurred tech- nology entrepreneurship in aerospace manufacturing for the industry and encouraged a start-up culture in the country. Furthermore, Boeing has been able to promote cuttingedge research and technology in wireless networks, developing patents and several research papers at ANRC. Boeing is committed to improving the quality of life in the communities where it operates. The company and its employees are involved in various education and health programmes in India. The two major initiatives include support of cancer patients with CanSupport and promoting public health and hygiene, as part of the “Clean India” mission, with Sulabh International. Boeing sees exciting advancements in this relationship that would enable the Indian aerospace industry to become the economic growth engine it aspires to be.
(Source: Boeing India)