Boeing has underlined the manufacturing and sustainment of its P-8I jet for the Indian Navy under, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which promotes self-reliance and indigenous production in India.
Boeing has underlined the significant indigenization achieved in the manufacturing and sustainment of its P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy. As part of its Aatmanirbhar Bharat strategy, which promotes self-reliance and indigenous production in India, Boeing aims to increase investment and economic impact associated with the P-8I program. The P-8 fleet, with over 160 aircraft in service globally and more than 500,000 mishap-free flight hours, is a proven multi-mission aircraft used by several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, and Germany.
Twelve P-8I aircraft are already in service with the Indian Navy, meeting reconnaissance and surveillance needs in the Indo-Pacific region. Boeing has already generated substantial economic value, amounting to $1.7 billion, in support of the current P-8I fleet. The company envisions that expanding the P-8I fleet to 18 aircraft will result in additional investments of approximately $1.5 billion. This expansion will also create more opportunities for indigenization within India’s aerospace and defense sector by 2032.
Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India said, “Boeing’s commitment to advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision drives our dedication to the P-8I fleet. As we respond to the Indian Navy’s need for more P-8I aircraft, we’re actively looking to enhance engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment capabilities in India, for India, and the world, benefiting both Indian and global customers.”
The P-8I aircraft, based on the 737 Next Generation platform, has been a vital component of the Indian Navy’s fleet since its induction in 2013. It has accumulated over 40,000 flight hours with high mission readiness rates. Boeing has played a pivotal role in establishing advanced training facilities for the P-8I, such as the Ashok Roy Training Simulator Complex at INS Rajali and the recently inaugurated Kochi training complex, featuring a state-of-the-art simulator for P-8I aircrew and technical team training. These ground-based training facilities reduce on-aircraft training time, enhance mission proficiency, and improve aircraft availability for the Indian Navy.
“We’re proud to partner with the Indian Navy on the exceptional capability that the P-8 delivers as a proven multi-mission aircraft while enhancing the interoperability and maritime security requirements for India and the Indo-Pacific,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager, Mobility, Surveillance and Bombers, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “Boeing is also committed to expanding its P-8 supplier network in India, which presently includes 15 public and private Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises that are part of Boeing’s global supply chain and are delivering critical parts, components, and services for the P-8,” he further added.
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Boeing remains focused on delivering value to its Indian customers through advanced technologies and the development of the Indian aerospace sector. The company has strengthened its supply chain with over 300 local Indian companies and established a joint venture to manufacture fuselages for Apache helicopters and vertical fin structures for the 737 family of airplanes. Boeing’s annual sourcing from India exceeds $1 billion, and it employs over 5,000 people in India, with more than 13,000 people working with its supply chain partners.
