Modi inaugurates State of the Art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center (BIETC)

By Gulshan Luthra

Bangalore/ New Delhi. It was a big day for Indian Aviation this January 19 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Boeing’s largest BIETC campus in Bangalore with the hope that someday, Boeing would design aircraft of the future at this facility for manufacturing in India.

This technology Centre, observed Modi, demonstrates India’s commitment to drive global tech, research & innovation, design and demand, strengthening the country’s ‘Make in India-Make for the World’ resolution’ and that “This campus reinforces the world’s trust in India’s pool of talent,” adding that the youth of India would now have multiple opportunities to acquire new skills in the aviation industry.

The Prime Minister said he has had dreams for growth of aviation in India, with an ‘emotional touch,’ and in this perspective, he could say that without the conviction and faith of the Boeing Team, his emotional touch would not realise into the required growth. “This facility demonstrates India’s commitment to drive global tech, research & innovation, design and demand. This strengthens the ‘Make in India-Make for the World’ resolution.”

Pointing out that BIETC was the largest Boeing facility outside the US, Modi thanked the entire Boeing management for its commitment to India’s aviation sector, observing that BIETC would strengthen global confidence in India’s pool of talent as also train boys and girls in various aspects of civil and military aviation.

He noted that the demand for pilots and other staff are high, and that the number of operational airports in India has already gone up to 150 now from about 70 in 2014.

Scientific Temper, STEM and Women

A key highlight of Mr Modi’s address was his emphasis on Scientific Temper among the youths, and STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. He noted that more and more women were now opting for STEM, and already playing a defining role even in India’s space programmes.

Boeing Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Stephanie Pope, who flew in for a Special Address, said that this new campus is a testament to Boeing’s engineering legacy and it underlines the belief in the availability, depth of talent and capability that exists in India. Boeing will also give emphasis on training women in accordance with the Prime Minister’s vision.

Stephanie made a significant promise in extending Boeing support in opening STEM labs in Middle Schools.

She elaborated on the scope of the new campus and Boeing’s plan to create an ecosystem that propels India to the forefront of the aerospace industry. She lauded Mr Modi’s focus on aviation, saying that “the new Boeing campus will become one of the most cutting-edge examples of the Prime Minister’s self-reliant India initiative or Atmanirbharta.”

Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte said the time has come for India to mark its leadership role in the global aviation, IT IS NOW, and Boeing is committed to support India’s dreams.

According to a statement, the Prime Minister had asked Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun to assist in ensuring further growth of opportunities for women in aviation, and Boeing was committed there. There is a surging demand for pilots in India, more than double the current roster of 9,000, and Boeing believes this provides an opportunity to ensure that women make up a substantial part of these ranks as well.

“We are honoured and privileged to support Prime Minister Modi’s transformative vision for India, and we are grateful to have him dedicate the Boeing campus to foster aerospace innovation in the country,” Calhoun was quoted as saying in a statement.

The Prime Minister launched the Boeing Sukanya Programme for empowering women in Indian aviation, encouraging girls to learn critical skills.

For young girls, said the world’s oldest aviation company in a statement, “the programme will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers. The programme will also provide scholarships to women who are training to be pilots. Investments will support flight training curriculum, obtaining certifications, funding for simulator trainings, and career development programs.”

Stephanie, who assumed the position of COO recently, said: “We are thrilled for Prime Minister Modi to have personally launched the Boeing Sukanya Program. Together, we will help expand opportunity for women across India to pursue careers and leadership positions in the aviation sector.” Appropriately, Boeing chose her to announce the company’s Sukanya Programme.

Over the years, Boeing India has grown its team in engineering and R&D talent to the largest number of employees in any country outside the United States, with more than 6,000 as of December 2023.

Bangalore, An Aerospace Hub

Modi had a walk through the campus, joined by Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, and Stephanie Pope along with Salil Gupte and other senior Boeing executives.

Modi described Bangalore as a shining example of being an aerospace hub, and recalled that he had inaugurated Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing factory in Karnataka last year. Boeing’s new facility is a clear indication of Karnataka’s rise as a new aviation hub. Bengaluru links aspirations to innovations and achievements, and India’s tech potential to global demands.

Notably, there is the Aerospace Research and Innovation Centre already there, co-located with the highly acclaimed Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Bangalore, as the city was known, or Bengaluru, as it is called now, has vast access to the aerospace and defence ecosystem, particularly HAL which is being assigned big helicopter and fighter aircraft production responsibilities. Boeing’s new campus is set to become a cornerstone for partnership with the vibrant startups, private and government ecosystem in India, and will help develop next-generation products and services for the global aerospace and defence industry.

Of course, the crown jewel Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which has tremendous achievements to its credit in successful Space and Moon missions is also there. ISRO plans to send humans into space, and there has been some interaction with US NASA and Boeing already on this.

The Rs 1,600 crore BITEC, spread over 43 acres, is located in Bangalore’s Hi-Tech Defence Aerospace Park in Devanhalli, where the Karnataka State Government is providing substantial incentives for foreign industry to set up development and manufacturing units.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has its Training Command there, as well as the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), or Test Pilots School, and also the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM) which plays a key role in the selection of Indian astronauts.

Women-Led Development

The Prime Minister said his Government had taken steps to increase women-led development in all sectors, and creating new opportunities for women in the aerospace sector. He pointed out that 15 percent of India’s pilots are women, which is three times more than the global average of 5 percent. “Be it fighter pilots or civil aviation, India is leading the world in the number of women pilots,” he observed proudly.

It would be International Women’s Day on march 8, and apparently keeping that in mind, it was Stephanie who elaborated on Boeing’s effort to encourage women in aviation.

Speaking about the Boeing Sukanya Programme, Modi said that it would also help the poor living in far-flung areas to realize their dreams of becoming a pilot, and that the Government would now provide coaching and development facilities for them in government schools.

(With inputs from PMO, Boeing and R Anil Kumar)