India and Boeing recently engaged in discussions to enhance collaboration in aviation and aerospace manufacturing, with a focus on areas such as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), skilling, supply chain development, and innovation. The talks aimed at expanding India’s role as a global manufacturing and engineering hub under the Make in India initiative. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal shared that the discussions took place between him and a delegation led by Jeff Shockey, Executive Vice President at Boeing.
The discussions emphasized the efforts to deepen India-US cooperation in the aviation sector and elevate India’s position in the global aerospace value chain. Key areas of focus included MRO opportunities, skilling initiatives, supply chain enhancements, innovation, and India’s evolving role as a reliable global manufacturing and engineering hub as envisioned under Make in India. The aim is to strengthen ties between the two countries in the field of aviation and aerospace.
In a separate development, the United States approved two potential Foreign Military Sales to India totaling $428.2 million, covering sustainment support for Apache helicopters and M777A2 ultra-light howitzers. The proposed assistance includes various components such as spare parts, repair services, training, technical assistance, and logistics support. BAE Systems is identified as the principal contractor for this package. Additionally, a $198.2 million deal linked to AH-64E Apache helicopters was also approved, with Boeing and Lockheed Martin named as principal contractors for the associated support services.
