 "Pratyush Kumar")
Boeing has doubled its sourcing from India and has expressed interest in FA-18 combat aircraft here. Boeing India President Pratyush Kumar tells Aneesh Phadnis the company is growing its investment footprint. Edited excerpts:
How much investment is Boeing making in India?
Investments depend the upon business case. We are increasing our investment footprint in India. We are manufacturing the fuselage of Apache helicopters in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems (TAS). A large part of the Chinook helicopter is also being manufactured in India. Initially, the partnership with TAS is for the Apache helicopter but it is not limited to that. We could increase the investment once we get more platforms. In the past 14 months, we have doubled sourcing from India and now, it stands at $500 million.
Boeing has indicated it could build FA-18 combat aircraft in India. What is the status?
There is an intent to build the aircraft but it is in very early stages. There have been discussions with the government. We think there will be a requirement beyond Rafale as the Air Force retires its Jaguars, MIG and Mirage aircraft. In the medium to long term, there is a different way India could build industrial capacity. We are not only talking of the final assembly but also the Tier I and II suppliers, about creating the entire system.
Boeing does a lot more business in China. Last year, it announced a finishing plant for 737 aircraft in the country. Will you build assembly plants in India?
Look at the scale. About 400 planes are delivered to China each year — 200 by Boeing and about 200 by Airbus. It has the scale to be able to justify business case for a finishing plant. Right now India does not have the scale. If India comes to that scale, it will be a different story.
When do you see the next big order from India?
I have no idea. That is the prerogative of our customers. You will, probably, get better insight talking to our friends Ajay (Ajay Singh, SpiceJet chairperson) and Naresh (Naresh Goyal, Jet Airways chairperson).
Air India has been facing issues with Boeing 787 planes. Has it been sorted?
We are working closely with them. We are not done yet but things are lot better.
