In an interview with India’s Businessworld magazine, Leanne Caret, president and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security discussed partnership and possibilities with India. Reproduced below are excerpts from the interview that pertain to India.
On how India fits in Boeing’s strategy as it relates to the defense, space & security business:
Caret: In India, for example, I’m proud of the strategic investments we have made to grow India’s defense base; increase the manufacturing, skill development, and engineering scale in the country; and strengthen the local workforce. Together, we’re building a strong aerospace industry in India, with an additional 7,000 people employed through our supply chain.
From a defense market perspective, India is one of the largest for Boeing. We’ve been honored to achieve many “firsts” with our Indian partners. Through the Indian Navy, India was the first international customer for the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.
India is also the largest operator of C-17 cargo and transport aircraft outside the United States, and the Harpoon missile was the first weapon system integrated on an Indian designed and built fighter, [the Jaguar].
On what Boeing’s next offering for India is:
Boeing has made significant inroads to partner with the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operates fleets of C-17s, AH-64 Apaches, CH-47 Chinooks and head of state aircraft.
Caret: Our first commitment is to deliver on the promises we have made to our customers, either through providing advanced capabilities or the right sustainment and training solutions to ensure their fleets are mission ready.
We are also listening to our defense customers in India on their current and future requirements for national defense and having discussions over the value our portfolio can deliver.
In the near-term, those capabilities include F/A-18 Super Hornet and additional P-8Is for the Indian Navy, F-15EX for the Indian Air Force, refueling tankers, unmanned aircraft systems, additional training, sustainment, and program-based logistics solutions.
On how the F-15EX fits in the acquisition plan by IAF under 114 Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA):
Caret: In early 2021, Boeing received a marketing license approval from the U.S. Government to offer the F-15EX to India, and we look forward to working with the IAF on their detailed requirements for the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) competition. The F-15EX for India will depend on the Indian Air Force’s Qualitative Requirements.
On what advanced technologies are included in the offer for Super Hornet fighters for the Indian Navy:
Caret: Our Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet offer to the Indian Navy is the most advanced, multi-role, frontline fighter of the U.S. Navy, with a rapid technology insertion plan that will outpace threats for decades to come.
Our successful ski-jump test conducted last year and extensive simulation studies prove that the F/A-18 can operate from the Indian Navy aircraft carriers and will meet or exceed the STOBAR (Short Take-off but Arrested Recovery) performance requirements of the Indian Navy. Several innovative solutions related to carrier compatibility have been offered to the Indian Navy to integrate the Super Hornet with the carriers. Some of these solutions are currently being developed by our technology teams in our engineering and technology center in Bangalore.
The two-seater carrier compatible variant of Super Hornet also offers several unique advantages to the Indian Navy including flexibility, higher utilization of the fleet, ability to embark certain missions from the carrier that benefit from having the second crew member and opportunity to develop an interface between crewed and uncrewed systems in a carrier environment.
