Chennai: Ramping up ‘desi’ talents to make highly capable f/a-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, Boeing, a US- based defence manufacturing giant, has joined with PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Mahindra Aerospace and Defence.
The announcement came on the sidelines of DefExpo on Thursday. The new partnership would further boost the Make in India, the new joint venture said.
“Boeing is teaming up with India’s only company that manufactures combat fighter, HAL and manufacturer of small commercial aeroplanes, Mahindra. This would accelerate the eco-system for aerospace and defence manufacturing in India,” Pratyush Kumar, president, Boeing India, said.
According to the officials of the joint venture, the three players are collaborating to make f/a-18 Super Hornet fighter jets in India. However, the plant to manufacture the fighters would most probably come up in Tamil Nadu, according to the sources of companies. But the companies did not disclose the location.
“The new facility can be utilized for other programs like India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program,” Boeing said.
This has come in the background of expediting a decade old proposal of procuring 110 fighter jets. The grab the hefty order, the Boeing is weighing with Lockheed Martin, another USA based giant.
The partnership addresses the infrastructure, personnel training and operational tools and techniques required to produce a next-generation fighter aircraft in India. In addition, Boeing will work closely with Indian industry to ensure they have the very latest technologies, applying lessons learned from the current Super Hornet production line, Boeing India said.
