GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Feb. Boeing, the renowned US-based aerospace company, has named Nikhil Joshi as the managing director of Boeing Defense India (BDI) as part of its efforts to bolster operations and advance its growth strategy in India.
In his new role, based in New Delhi, Nikhil Joshi will spearhead ongoing and future initiatives for BDI aimed at enhancing the readiness and modernization of India’s defense forces. Reporting to Salil Gupte, president of Boeing India and South Asia, Joshi will closely collaborate with Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) and Boeing Global Services (BGS).
Scott Carpendale, vice president of Asia Pacific at Boeing Global Services – Government Services (BGS-GS), expressed delight at Joshi’s appointment, highlighting his extensive experience and leadership qualities, which are expected to drive Boeing’s growth trajectory in India and reinforce its commitment to serving defense customers in the country.
With over 25 years of aerospace and defense industry expertise, including a distinguished career spanning more than two decades with the Indian armed forces in the aviation branch of the Indian Navy, Joshi brings valuable insights to his new role. Before joining Boeing, he served as the country manager for Eaton Aerospace, where he played a pivotal role in expanding Eaton’s business footprint in India. Joshi’s professional background encompasses over 4,000 hours of flying experience on various maritime reconnaissance aircraft, as well as commanding frontline ships and air squadrons.
Salil Gupte, president of Boeing India and South Asia, emphasized the importance of delivering efficient solutions, timely support, and flawless execution to meet the commitments of Boeing Defense India to its customers and the Indian aerospace and defense industry. He extended a warm welcome to Joshi and expressed optimism about their collaboration to address future customer requirements.
Boeing’s enduring commitment to India spans more than eight decades, with a portfolio that includes 11 C-17s, 22 AH-64 Apaches (with six additional units on order), 15 CH-47 Chinooks, 12 P-8Is, 3 VVIP aircraft (737 airframes), and two Head of State aircraft (777 airframes), all of which are Boeing platforms. India occupies a central position in Boeing’s strategic plans, representing one of the largest defense markets for the company. BDI serves as a local entity, providing comprehensive lifecycle solutions for government and defense customers in India.
Boeing’s focus on delivering value to Indian customers through advanced technologies is underscored by its commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the Indian aerospace sector, including developing local suppliers and fostering academic and research collaborations with Indian institutions. Boeing’s robust supply chain in India comprises over 310 local companies, along with a joint venture dedicated to manufacturing fuselages for Apache helicopters and vertical fin structures for the 737 families of airplanes. Annual sourcing from India amounts to $1.25 billion.
Currently, Boeing employs over 6,000 people in India, with an additional 13,000 individuals engaged through its supply chain partners. Boeing’s community engagement initiatives and citizenship programs aim to drive positive change and impact over 1.3 million lives across the country.
