The US-based Boeing Company proposes to place about $50 million additional orders with Indian companies, apart from the $ 5.3 million contracts it has lined up for the current year.
Talking to FE, Chris Chadwick, President of Boeing Military Aircraft, said, ?Boeing and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have been working closely throughout the year to place about $ 5.3 million in new contracts, in addition to our existing programmes. And, are also currently discussing an additional $ 50 million dollars in commercial and defence products. We hope to have that work on contract shortly.?
This represents a variety of work packages, including aero structures, composites and wire harnesses. Just as important as the value of that work, frankly, is the fact that HAL and Boeing are truly collaborating as aerospace partners and building common processes, Chadwick added.
According to him the Boeing in its collaboration with HAL is planning to begin Programme Management and Supply-Chain Management programmes, later this year that are expected to continue for several years.
The president of Boeing military aircraft further added that the company in its efforts to enhance its collaboration with HAL has also planned additional work in 2009. ?In addition to directed work statements, we will provide HAL with opportunities to bid on competitive packages. HAL is viewed as the strategic partner in our global supply chain, creating real value for our customers, ?he added.
?The company is also working hard through partnerships with Tata and L&T to create similar value through partnerships,? said he.
In the biggest-ever deal for a public sector defence undertaking in 2007, HAL had signed a $1 billion (Rs3,949 crore) manufacturing outsourcing contract with American aerospace major Boeing over ten years. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed, HAL is to manufacture subsystems for Boeing?s wide range of fighter planes like F-15, F-18 Super Hornets and Apace Helicpoters.
The American company, which has earlier this year submitted the F/A-18 Super Hornet proposal for the Indian Air Force MMRCA competition, also in the race for eight long-range maritime reconnisance planes made it clear that the outsourcing was ?without any strings?.
As part of the agreement, Boeing will also support HAL in developing manufacturing processses and capabilities needed for production of hardware of Boeing and its sub-contractors.
The American aviation giant will also support the training and transfer of Boeing?s best practices for lean principles and supplier and programme management to the extent allowed by the US government, Chadwick said.