Prathiyush Kumar, Head, Boeing India has been appointed by the the defence major for its F-15 fighter aircraft programme in the US. In a statement issued by Boeing India in Bangalore today, Kumar had expressed his happiness about the new role to build business for the F-15 programme globally. Kumar also said that Boeing would expand its local manufacturing, technology and innovations, products and people in the Indian sub-continent. The statement further said that the company would announce the successor of Kumar soon. During his five year stint, Kumar not only advanced Boeing’s business in commercial aircraft but also defence, space, security and global services. What is more, Boeing opened its engineering and technology centre in Bangalore during Kumar’s tenure in order to drive innovation and further scaled up aerospace supply chain, besides establishing a joint venture in Hyderabad with Tata for the manufacture of fuselages (main body section) for the Apache attack helicopter.

Furthermore, the the American commercial jetliner manufacturer also firmed up the sale of Apache and Chinook helicopters to the Indian Army, in addition to bagging more orders for the P-81 maritime surveillance aircraft under his leadership.

Marc Allen, President, Boeing International said in a statement, “I would like to than Kumar not only for his contribution to our business in India but also for developing a stronger aerospace industry ecosystem across the country.”

It might be recalled that on September 24, Kumar met the Chief Minister of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy in Bangalore to firm up the establishment of Boeing’s electronics manufacturing avionics assembly pant at an investment of Rs.1,152 crore. The new plant would come up 12-18 months, eventually creating an estimated 2,600 jobs. In India, the US firm has forged alliance with 160 entities and $1 billion sourcing, in addition to employing around 2000 aerospace engineers.