Boeing Likely To Pitch F/A-18 Fighters To India During DefExpo 2016

Boeing will showcase a range of advanced aerospace and defense products that include multirole fighter aircraft, attack and heavy lift helicopters, transport aircraft, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, weapons and unmanned systems during the upcoming DefExpo exhibition in Goa, India.

The main focus of Boeing’s participation will be on collaborative achievements with India and further collaboration in manufacturing aerospace parts and components, the company said in a statement Saturday.

Boeing had offered to build its latest version of F/A-18 Super Hornet in India if given a chance by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in October last year.

The Indian Navy is in serious discussions with the US Government for the US Navy’s latest aircraft launch and recovery system, the EMALS by General Atomics (GA), for its second indigenous aircraft carrier due out by 2029. 

If India finally selects the EMALS, the US Government could suggest inclusion of the F/A-18 also, and the combined numbers for the IAF and Navy could justify production with technology transfer.

Boeing’s sourcing from India has doubled since ‘Make in India’ was launched in September 2014 and now stands at more than half a billion dollars a year. By 2020, Boeing expects that sourcing will increase by four times the 2014 level, the company said.

Boeing’s Defexpo exhibit will showcase products and services already in use by India’s armed forces as well as future, advanced capabilities for India’s defense modernization and mission readiness requirements.

The exhibit will include large-scale models, displays and smart panel content of the CH-47F Chinook, AH-64E Apache, MV-22 Osprey, P-8, C-17 Globemaster III, ScanEagle unmanned airborne system and Harpoon missile system. In addition, there will be demonstrations of the Central Maintenance Computer and Virtual Maintenance Trainer to highlight services and support offerings.

“Boeing is delivering products and services to the Indian armed forces to support their fleet of C-17 strategic airlifters, P-8I aircraft and Harpoon missiles,” said Dennis Swanson, vice president, Defense, Space & Security in India.