Boeing in talks with Indian partners on proposed Super Hornet production in India

The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet, as operated by the US Navy. Photo c/o Defense and Security Analysis @ Medium.

American aviation giant Boeing held talks with Hindustan Aerospace Industries (HAL) and Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) on a proposal to manufacture the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet in India under the “Make In India” program. 

This was confirmed by Boeing during the recently-concluded Aero India 2019 defense exhibition.

The proposal is to support Boeing’s push to offer the F/A-18E Super Hornet Block III fighter for the Indian Air Force (IAF) requirement for around 110 new fighters to replace ageing Russian-supplied fighters like the MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighters.

Boeing is currently competing with Lockheed Martin with their F-21 proposal based on a highly upgraded F-16V Viper, Saab JAS-39E Gripen NG, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Sukhoi Su-35 and RAC MiG-35 for the IAF requirement.

The F/A-18E Super Hornet is also being pitched for a requirement by the Indian Navy (IN) for 57 carrier-capable fighters, although both IAF and IN programs are separate and need not  be the same aircraft. It is competing with Dassault Rafale and Saab JAS-39M Maritime Gripen for this requirement.

The company also laid out their plans for marketing the KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tanker and a twin-engined Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft , while pitching for India to order additional AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, CH-47FI Chinook transport helicopters, and P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Boeing already has a footprint in India, as it supports current platforms like the P-8I Poseidon and C-17A Globemaster, while also plans to establish a rotorcraft support and training capabilities in India.



[1] The Economic Times
[2] Flight Global