Boeing and the Indian Armed Forces

Over the past few years, Boeing has exponentially strengthened and grown its partnership with the Indian armed forces. From the C-17 Globemaster III to the P-8I and now soon to be inducted AH-64 Apaches and CH-47 Chinooks, Boeing platforms and services are actively aiding the Indian armed forces missions to protect the country’s sovereign borders.

Boeing’s commitment to deliver capable platforms that meet the Indian armed forces modernisation and mission requirements spans across the present. Our portfolio has a range of proven products that can fulfill a number of roles in present and future theatres of operations. 

With the F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing can help the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force modernise their fleets with a fighter that offers true multi-role capability and a distinct combat advantage. 

As India expands its air force and increases its defensive capabilities, the KC-46 is the perfect choice for a multi-role tanker-transport aircraft. The most reliable and economical tanker to operate, the KC-46 can provide India with the combat capability it needs for sovereign operations. Pegasus is the best choice for today and the decades to come. The brand new KC-46 is designed from the ground-up to be a combat-ready tanker. This means that unlike other tankers, it can operate closer to the fight, covertly and with the ability to protect itself. In India’s crowded neighbourhood, it means it can be closer to action to fuel the fight.

Boeing has the right platforms and capabilities to match the evolving mission requirements of the Indian armed forces. Ranging across the entire gamut of strategic airlift, combat operations and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) roles, Boeing platforms provide warfighters with the capability to dominate combat areas. 

A Partnership for the Future: The F/A-18 Super Hornet 

Boeing sees an opportunity to provide both the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force with the F/A-18 Super Hornet, one of the world’s preeminent multi-role fighter aircraft. The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a combat proven, supersonic, all weather multirole fighter jet with a defined flight plan to outpace threats into the 2040s. It is highly capable across the full mission spectrum and is a true multi-role aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.

The Super Hornet Block II is the most advanced aircraft of its kind in operation today with designed-in stealth (and best stealth performance), an AESA radar and many other advanced technologies. The AESA radar in particular is an expediential leap in technology needed for current and future missions. The Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared system, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, Multifunctional Information Distribution System, advanced high capacity computer system, and state-of-the-art cockpit provides the warfighter with intuitive situational awareness and capability now and far into the future.  

Creating Indigenous Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Capability

Over 160 Indian suppliers have been parts and assemblies covering aerostructures, wire harness, composites, forgings, avionics mission systems, and ground support equipment for some of Boeing’s most advanced defence platforms. Boeing’s sourcing from India has quadrupled in the past few years and now stands at $1 billion. As part of this journey, Boeing’s joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) has already begun deliveries of fuselages for the AH-64 Apache, the world’s most lethal combat helicopter. The centre is becoming the sole source of the fuselage globally. 

Additionally, the Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center in Bengaluru is leveraging a talented pool of employees to support Boeing’s engineering growth in strong global markets. BIETC engineers undertake high-quality, advanced aerospace technology-driven work that supports areas as diverse as test and evaluation; development of advanced, environmentally friendly coatings; data analytics for next-generation airplane health management; innovation in labs on Internet of Things and Digital Transformation; and development of software tools that enable airlines to improve their operations and work with airports to help with de-congestion and navigation, at reduced costs.

Committed to evolving these partnerships and investments further, Boeing is proposing a world class advanced manufacturing facility in India for the F/A-18 Super Hornet with the very latest technologies in place. Furthermore, the Super Hornet is the best aircraft to get to India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.  Boeing will work closely with India industry to ensure they have the very latest technologies, applying lessons learnt from the current Super Hornet production line. 

Supporting Existing and Future Fleets

Boeing truly believes that its partnership with customers begins with the delivery of platforms. Through cutting-edge services and support packages that harness capabilities from across Boeing, we ensure that our customers receive the best operational capability and mission readiness our platforms can provide. 

Boeing remains focused on executing on commitments to customers on schedule and cost. The Indian Navy and Indian Air Force can be assured of achieving exceptional operational capability and readiness of their P-8I and C-17 fleet. Boeing aircraft have high mission readiness rates of >85%. Boeing’s investments in services infrastructure, the build-up of local capability and workforce and local partnership models will accelerate our strategy. The P-8 and C-17 have demonstrated an excellent record in supporting the missions they have been deployed for and the forces have expressed satisfaction about their operational readiness.

C-17 GISP programme has become a model for the future of sustainment. The C-17 Simulator Training Centre, established by Boeing and Mahindra Defence Systems to provide training services to the Indian Air Force, completed over 1700 hours of training for aircrews and loadmasters that operate the C-17 Globemaster III in July 2017. The Centre has maintained a serviceability state of 100 percent.

Boeing supports India’s P-8I fleet by providing spares, ground support equipment and field service representative support. Boeing’s integrated logistics support has enabled the highest state of fleet readiness at the lowest possible cost. India’s P-8I fleet has surpassed almost 20,000 flight hours since induction in 2015. With the induction of the Apache and Chinook, Boeing anticipates additional opportunities in rotorcraft training and support centres


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