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Boeing’s supply chain in India is exporting an impressive Rs 10,000 crore ($1.15 billion) worth of aerospace components every year, making the US plane manufacturer the largest foreign manufacturer in the country, according to Boeing India President Salil Gupte.
He dismissed the idea that high-tech aviation manufacturing was not happening in India, stating, “That may have been true 10 years ago, but today, India has an interesting opportunity,” in an interview with NDTV Profit.
Gupte pointed out that Boeing has expanded its operations in India, with 5,000 aeronautical engineers working at its 43-acre site in Bengaluru. These engineers focus mainly on domestic projects but also contribute to some international initiatives.
Boeing’s extensive supply chain in India includes suppliers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Gujarat, and northern India. “These suppliers export about Rs 10,000 crore worth of aerospace components every year, making us the largest foreign OEM (original equipment manufacturer) in India,” Gupte said at the ‘Aero India 2025’ show.
He further emphasized that Boeing is actively working under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives in the defense sector.
“A key factor in defence manufacturing is localisation. Any final assembly for a defense contract today requires 50 percent indigenous content. That’s why we have been investing in localization efforts,” Gupte explained.
He also highlighted the importance of partner companies such as US tech giant GE, which is setting up an engine manufacturing unit with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
“GE has a big place in a lot of our platforms for both civil and defence,” Gupte noted. “For final assembly in India, you need tier-1 suppliers and engine manufacturers already present, which is already happening,” he added.
Gupte mentioned that although Boeing has been in India for 80 years, its presence has significantly grown in the past decade.
Boeing has been actively supporting civil aviation customers, and in the defense sector, it has introduced several key platforms, including the C-17 cargo aircraft, P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, and Apache helicopters.
“The head of the state fleet, where we get to fly the Prime Minister and the President of India, is also a Boeing fleet,” he pointed out.
Boeing is in continuous discussions with India’s defense forces regarding their needs. Six more Apache anti-tank helicopters are slated for delivery to the Army, in addition to the 22 Apache helicopters already supplied to the Air Force.
He also mentioned ongoing discussions about additional reconnaissance aircraft. “There is a requirement for more P-8s, but it is up to the Navy to decide when and how procurement will happen.”
Gupte emphasized that Boeing’s defense sales also foster interoperability between India and the US in the Indo-Pacific region. “The more U.S. equipment the Indian defence services acquire, the better the interoperability with U.S. assets in the region, ensuring a strong, free Indo-Pacific force,” he stated.
Boeing currently has nearly 600 aircraft orders from Indian airlines, including Air India, Akasa, and SpiceJet. These orders include both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.
He concluded by pointing out that Boeing’s operations in India benefit both the US and India.
“Every single employee we have in India and every supplier supports what we do in India and the US. When India orders aeroplanes, those orders support thousands of jobs in the U.S. as well,” Gupte added.
(Photo courtesy: IANS)
