Boeing India: Boeing, a leading aerospace, and defence company based in the US, is going through a tough phase but remains hopeful about its future, especially in India’s growing defence sector. Despite facing challenges in 2024, the company is confident about its role in India’s defence market.
2024 was a difficult year for Boeing. The company faced leadership changes, operational setbacks, and a major strike that disrupted its work. Torbjorn ‘Turbo’ Sjogren, Vice President and General Manager of Government Services at Boeing Global Services, shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with FinancialExpress.com.
According to Financial Express., He said, “Last year was a tough year for us. We have a new CEO, new leadership, and several development challenges with our defence programs. But we have taken steps, especially in our culture, leadership, and operations, to move in a more positive direction.”
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Despite these challenges, Boeing’s stock price has gone up, showing signs of recovery. Sjogren believes the company’s focus on accountability and culture has helped. “We are bullish about our future. The defence side of the business is still facing some challenges, but we have made great progress,” he added.
India’s Importance in Boeing’s Plans
India is a key market for Boeing, both in commercial and defence sectors. Sjogren highlighted India’s interest in defence equipment like the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, Apache attack helicopters, and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. He also mentioned that Boeing is still delivering Apache helicopters to India, showing its commitment to the country’s defence needs.
Boeing is also supporting India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The company is working with Indian suppliers like Rossell Techsys and Air Works to strengthen local defence capabilities. “We are fully committed to our offset obligations in India,” Sjogren said. “We have been working with local SMEs and other partners to build a more sustainable supply chain.”
Boeing India
Boeing is offering Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) solutions in India. These services provide long-term support for platforms like the Chinook and Apache helicopters, as well as the P-8I aircraft. Sjogren explained, “We have seen great success with the C-17 PBL program, and we believe India can enjoy the same benefits with the Apaches, Chinooks, and P-8s. These long-term contracts will allow us to reinvest in the Indian supply chain, ensuring the sustainability of operations for the Indian military.”
The company is also expanding its service operations in India. It is working with partners like Air India Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL) and Air Works to improve maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities. These partnerships are crucial for Boeing’s success in India, as they help provide better services to the Indian armed forces.
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Boeing faced some setbacks in 2024, including workforce reductions and operational delays. These issues caused concerns among customers. However, Sjogren said that customers have supported the company during this tough time.
“It was a tough year for us in 2024, but we have seen our customers rally behind us,” he said. “They want us to be successful because they rely on our products for their own missions. The encouragement we have received from our customers has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year.”
Boeing sees India as more than just a market. Sjogren said, “We don’t just think of India as a market; we think of it as a capability.” He also expressed confidence in the growing defence cooperation between India and the US. Both countries face similar security challenges, which creates opportunities for collaboration.
“India faces many of the same strategic challenges as the US,” Sjogren noted. “This creates a strong foundation for further defence collaboration, and we see significant opportunities ahead.”
