Boeing mulls outsourcing of critical fighter and helicopter components from India
28 Apr 2008
New Delhi: Boeing has decided to outsource two critical components of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter from India, and has said that it will consider entering into additional arrangements of a similar nature depending on how aerospace cooperation between India and the US shapes up in the future.
The remarks were made by Boeing's vice president for international strategy, Lt Gen Jeffrey B Kohler, to India Strategic defence magazine.
Boeing is offering the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the $11 billion tender for 126 medium range multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Gen Kohler stressed, however, that the decision to outsource components for fighter and civil aircraft from India was not dependent on Boeing winning the order.
Gen Kohler also said that Boeing could outsource components for the sophisticated Apache combat helicopter and the CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter from India as well. He said Boeing was willing to transfer technology, depending upon how cooperative arrangements between the Indian and US governments evolved.
Boeing has already announced tie-ups with India's leading conglomerate, the Tata Group, for the production of titanium floor beams for the new generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This aircraft has already secured record orders and is set to become the world's largest-selling aircraft in the coming years.
It has also entered into similar agreements with state-run HAL to outsource components and services.
Boeing is competing with Europe's Eurofighter consortium, which is fielding its Typhoon fighter, as well as with US company, Lockheed Martin (F-16), Gripen (Sweden), MiG-35 (Russia) and Rafale (France).
Today, Monday (28 April) is the last date for submission of the bids by these competing companies.
