Nikhil Joshi,
Managing Director, Boeing Defence India

Boeing’s commitment to India spans over 80 years and surpasses that of any other foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in the defence and aerospace sector. The company’s investments permeate the entire value chain of Indian aerospace and defence and set the company apart as a steadfast and reliable partner. The acquisition of a defence platform is a strategic decision for the Indian Armed Forces. It is, therefore, telling that today the Indian Armed Forces operate a range of Boeing platforms, including 11 C-17s, 22 AH-64 Apaches (with six more on order), 15 CH-47 Chinooks, 12 P-8Is, three VVIP aircraft (737 airframe) and two Head of State aircraft (777 airframe), making India one of the largest defence markets for Boeing. Several firsts mark the Boeing-India relationship, including India being the first international customer for P-8 aircraft, the largest international operator of C-17s outside the US, and the first US weapon integrated on an Indian fighter with the Harpoon.

In addition, ensuring these platforms’ sustained operational effectiveness and unlocking their full potential requires consistent and dependable service support. Boeing plays a key role in enhancing the mission readiness and modernisation of India’s defence forces. Established in 2017 as part of Boeing’s regional growth strategy, Boeing Defence India (BDI) was created to serve as a vital partner to the Indian Armed Forces. BDI remains committed to developing in-country capabilities and strengthening its support for India’s defence ecosystem. This effort is aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government of India and leverages the significant global technical expertise and product portfolio of The Boeing Company. Our dedication to India is part of a broader strategy that includes establishing similar entities in Australia, the UK, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, to best meet local market and customer needs.

DELIVERING ENHANCED SUPPORT SOLUTIONS

Cost-effective solutions, timely support, and flawless execution are central to BDI’s commitment to its customers. As Boeing’s dedicated local entity in India, BDI provides holistic lifecycle solutions, including timely maintenance, repairs, and access to technological advancements. These services ensure high fleet availability and mission readiness, enabling the Indian Armed Forces to effectively safeguard national security. What truly stands out is the overwhelmingly positive feedback we are receiving from our defence customers in India on the significant value our platforms and support ecosystem bring to their missions, which fills us with pride and deep satisfaction.

Our integrated logistics support and long-term Performance Based Logistics (PBL) solutions for platforms such as P-8I, Apache, and Chinook, promise to provide the same high level of availability currently provided to the Indian Air Force C-17 fleet through our Globemaster Integrated Support Program (GISP). Our PBL solutions, including Next Generation Product Support, increase efficiency, minimise downtime, reduce lifecycle costs, and enhance war-fighting effectiveness. Globally, customers are adopting PBL solutions for their ability to lower flying hour costs, increase aircraft availability, and maximise local industry involvement.

TOWARDS SELF-RELIANCE

India’s aviation sector, now the world’s third-largest civil aviation market, is on a trajectory of unprecedented growth, with its fleet size expected to nearly quadruple from 2019 levels by 2041. Supporting this rapid expansion is Boeing’s extensive network of MRO partners, the largest in the country, serving both defence and civil aviation manufacturing. The convergence of civil and defence MRO efforts in India represents a strategic approach to transforming the country’s civil MRO ecosystem. By combining resources and expertise, we are looking at a more efficient and cost-effective operation that could significantly reduce costs and improve turnaround times. Additionally, it creates opportunities to introduce advanced defence technologies into the civil sector, which could drive innovation and significantly enhance our overall capabilities. This is also an important step towards self-reliance, with the potential to drive economic growth by creating jobs, increasing exports, and attracting foreign investment.

In 2021, Boeing had also launched the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) programme, enabling engineering, maintenance, skilling, repair and sustainment services of defence and commercial aircraft in India. The BIRDS hub is designed as a network of local suppliers, creating a robust MRO ecosystem for defence and commercial aircraft. This initiative establishes industry benchmarks for maintenance, platform availability, customer satisfaction, and rapid turnaround times. An essential aspect of the hub is training programmes to increase the skilled workforce by developing sub-tier suppliers and medium, small, and micro enterprises (MSMEs) to build high-quality MRO capabilities in India.

Boeing’s commitment to strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem is evident through its significant infrastructure investments. In 2024, Boeing inaugurated the India Distribution Center in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh, to provide efficient and cost-effective service solutions to regional customers, enhancing fleet utilisation and mission readiness. Other key facilities include the world-class C-17 MRO and training facility at Hindon and the comprehensive P-8I training facility at Rajali, both of which play a vital role in bolstering the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces while setting a benchmark for excellence in aviation support services. In 2023, we inaugurated the Ashok Roy Training Simulator Complex at INS Rajali, a cutting-edge facility that minimises the need for actual aircraft in training. Built by Boeing for the Indian Navy, it is one of only four such simulators worldwide and the first in Asia. This 60,000-square-foot facility improves operational readiness by reducing aircraft downtime and enhancing mission system support, troubleshooting, and on-site component repairs.

Additionally, Boeing established an MRO facility in Nagpur, later transferred to Air India in 2015. The C-17 MRO facility at Hindon Air Base, built to international standards, underscores Boeing’s investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure. While primarily supporting defence MRO needs, it also holds potential for future civil MRO operations, further expanding its role in India’s aviation sector.

COLLABORATING FOR SUCCESS

At Boeing, we believe in the power of partnerships to drive success and innovation in the aerospace industry. Some examples of our partnerships include:

• In 2024, AI Engineering Services Limited completed the first-in-country overhaul of landing gear for the P-8I aircraft. We aim to replicate similar localisation for overhaul of other systems and components.
• Collaborated with Air Works to complete Phase 32 maintenance checks on eight P-8I aircraft operated by the Indian Navy (IN), showcasing maturity and scale comparable to established global MRO hubs.
• Partnered with Horizon Aerospace for defence platforms, including the P-8I and VIP 737 transport fleet, improving turnaround times and operational readiness.
• Formed a strategic agreement with AI Engineering Services Limited for the MRO of Boeing 777 Air India One aircraft.

In a further effort to enhance MRO capabilities, Boeing is inviting leading foreign MROs to India to evaluate Indian MROs for component repair and to explore potential partnerships. This exchange of expertise and knowledge will contribute to the growth and development of the MRO sector in India.

We are excited to continue our journey with India, shaping the future together, and supporting India’s goal of becoming Aatmanirbhar in aerospace and defence. Boeing will continue to invest in local manufacturing, co-production, co-development, skill enhancement, and innovation to foster growth across the aerospace, defence, and commercial aviation sectors.