Defence Industry

‘India is one of the top countries for Boeing’
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Issue Net Edition | Date : 06 Feb , 2013

Dennis Swanson, Vice President - India, Boeing Defence, Space & Security

Dennis D. Swanson is vice president, International Business Development for India at Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Swanson is responsible for growing and repositioning Boeing’s defense, space and security business in India.  Swanson began his career with Boeing Commercial Airplanes in 1989 and he held various positions within BCA and BDS, including managing Industrial participation programs and leading supplier management activities.

Swanson’s association with India goes back to 1999 when he managed supplier management and procurement efforts for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in India.

He was part of the team that began engaging with Indian suppliers and placed offset contracts with Boeing’s key suppliers in the country.

He was earlier regional director for Industrial Participation Programs in the Middle East and Africa region for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS). Swanson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and is currently pursuing his Executive Master’s program in International Business.

In an e-mail interview with Ramananda Sengupta just before Aero India 2013,  Swanson looks at the relationship explains why the relationship between Boeing and India has been a mutually beneficial one.

What are the Boeing products we can hope to see at AeroIndia 2013?

Boeing will showcase a broad range of aerospace capabilities at Aero India 2013. We will feature commercial and defense products and services of interest to India, including large-scale models, interactive displays, a P-8 mobile console and a Maritime Surveillance Aircraft console.

P-8I Multi-Mission Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Commercial and defense capabilities to be highlighted using product models will include:

  • 787 Dreamliner
  • 777
  • 747-8 passenger and freighter series
  • 737
  • C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter
  • P-8I maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft
  • AH-64D Apache attack helicopter
  • CH-47F Chinook multi-mission heavy-lift transport helicopter
  • V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft
  • AH-6i light attack and reconnaissance helicopter

Visitors will see full-scale models of the ScanEagle and Integrator unmanned aerial vehicles as well. On display, visitors will be able to see a full –size C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft.

Apart from the Chinook heavy-lifts, the Apache helicopters, the P81 Maritime Surveillance aircraft and the C-17s Globemasters, what are the other Boeing military aircraft that India has shown interest in? For instance, is there interest in Boeing’s VTOL aircraft like the V-22?

Boeing is on track to deliver three P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and antisubmarine aircraft to India in 2013 and the remaining five to the Indian Navy by 2015, under a contact signed in January 2009. The Indian Air Force will receive five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in 2013 and five in 2014 through a June 2011 contract signed between India’s Ministry of Defence and the U.S. government.

CH-47F Chinook

Boeing welcomes confirmation by the Indian Air Force Chief that the AH-64 Apache has been selected as India’s attack helicopter. Boeing also welcomes confirmation that CH-47 Chinook has emerged as the L1 bidder in the Indian heavy lift helicopter competition, as announced by the Indian Ministry of Defence.

Going forward, we see opportunities in the areas of vertical lift platforms such as V-22 Osprey, unmanned aircraft systems like the ScanEagle and Integrator, security solutions and network-centric operations systems. We also see opportunities in support and training as a significant growth area for India which will help our customers achieve maximum operational readiness of the products we are selling now and into the future.

India is one of the top countries for Boeing internationally in terms of market potential as well as the ability to harness the talent, innovation and aerospace capabilities that exist in the country. Boeing has steadily increased its presence in India over the last 70 years in both commercial and defense markets to bring the best of Boeing to India and the best of India to Boeing.

AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopter

While Boeing commercial aircraft have a long history with India, what has been your experience while dealing with India’s ministry of defence and the Indian Air Force?

We have had a very professional and transparent experience in dealing with our customers in India. Overall, Boeing has had a very positive experience with the process of procurement in India.

Now that the Indian Army too has been sanctioned attack helicopters, will Boeing have to go through  the entire procurement process again?

At this present time, we have not had discussions with the Indian Army regarding attack helicopters. If opportunities present themselves, we will be happy to engage with our Indian customers. Boeing is focused on delivering on its present commitments to the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

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The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the Indian Defence Review.

About the Author

Ramananda Sengupta

is a Strategic and Foreign Policy Analyst, and an Editorial Consultant with IDR.

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