Bengaluru: With India demanding any big player getting a defence contract to ensure it meets offset obligations, Boeing recently announced setting up of Boeing Defence India (BDI), a local operating entity that will support the company's future growth objectives in the country. The company hopes to grow exponentially in the areas of services, support, sales, marketing, sourcing, manufacturing and engineering.
Boeing India president Pratyush Kumar, who will lead BDI, will look to expand the Boeing Global Services organisation's footprint in the country.
BDI will look to expand its engagement with the defence ministry to deliver advanced capability and readiness to India's military customers and will aim to develop a competitive supplier base in the country that will be integrated into Boeing's supply chain.
With BDI, Boeing aims to enhance its responsiveness on local sustainment and training contracts. The company hopes to couple this with "last mile" execution teams based in the country to ensure availability of Boeing platforms for its customers in a cost-effective manner.
Mr Kumar said, "Boeing Defence India will bring the best of Boeing to India. Boeing has a commitment to be here and we hope to harness local talent that will keep us competitive and enable us to stay a credible aerospace player."
On the offset obligations, he said, "Boeing wants to help make the Indian aerospace industry become competitive. Boeing has now gone on from establishing a sales outpost to full business capability. BDI will concentrate on R&D, support manufacturing, tapping into the global talent pool and look to maximise economic opportunities in the country."
