Boeing Defense, Space & Security betting big on India

DW : The Boeing P-8I deal was a major success for you in India. Could you say something about the offsets associated with that contract?

Vivek Lall: We are working towards realizing the P8I contract. As part of the offsets for that deal, we have given a contract worth $4.7 million to HAL for the manufacture of weapons bay doors for the eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft that will be delivered to the Indian Navy. We welcome HAL's technical expertise and capabilities as well as the opportunity to increase our partnership on the P-8I.

DW : What is the status of your MMRCA bid for the IAF's 126 fighter deal?

Vivek Lall: Our entry for the MMRCA bid, the F/A-18, is in the evaluation phase of the bidding process. It meets all the requirements for the MMRCA as outlined in the RFP. We have given out another contract to HAL for the manufacture of F/A-18E/F gun bay doors and wire harnesses besides uplock boxes for the 777 commercial airplane project. This of course is unrelated to our MMRCA bid and we will continue to work with HAL regardless of whether we win the MMRCA tender or not.

DW : Besides these two what are the other areas Boeing is looking at regarding Indian defence.

Vivek Lall: We want to engage with India in a very positive way and have long term interests. The Indian defence market is worth $31 billion over the next 10 years in the sectors we are in. This will generate substantial offsets opportunities for the Indian industry as well.

DW : What specific projects are you considering?

Vivek Lall: We have had discussions with the IAF on the C17 Globemaster and had brought it to Aero India last year. We have submitted the Apache and Chinooks for the IAF’s helicopter tenders and will also be responding to the RFI for the Naval Fighters.

DW : What are your views on India's offsets policy?

Vivek Lall: The industry would like certain changes and this has been communicated to the government.