By Shyam Bhatia
Farnborough. “India is at the centre of everything”, President of Boeing India Salil Gupte declared at Farnborough on July 19.
Gupte, who was briefing a select group of Indian media, including India Strategic, described South Asia as the “fastest growing region in the world.”
He added, “In defence India is a huge partner of the US. Its almost unthinkable to think of how the partnership has evolved.”
Boeing expects to play a big part in India’s defence trade estimated at US$20 billion. Gupte specifically mentioned the C17 transport, the P8 surveillance and reconnaissance as aircraft that India could be of interest to India. He also mentioned the Chinnok CH 47 and Apache AH 64 helicopters. The F-18 fighter is currently undergoing trials in India.
Asked at the briefing whether Boeing would focus its efforts on India’s defence or cicil markets, Gupte replied, “Both are important.
When it came to the market for civil aircraft, Gupte said India was the third largest market in the world, behind only the US and China.
