New Delhi, September 18 — Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s aviation industry, according to Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India & South Asia. Speaking to ANI, Gupte emphasized that with nearly 3,000 new aircraft expected to enter the Indian market over the next two decades, the country must expand its domestic MRO capabilities to support this growth.
“MRO is really going to be important as part of the ecosystem of Aviation India,” Gupte stated, highlighting Boeing’s ongoing partnerships with Indian firms such as GMR, Air Works, and AI Engineering Services Ltd. These collaborations currently support base and line maintenance operations across the country.
Gupte also advocated for a zero-tariff environment for aerospace, citing the sector’s strategic importance to infrastructure and national security. He expressed optimism that India and the United States would soon resolve ongoing trade issues, enabling smoother collaboration in defense and civil aviation.
The next phase of Boeing’s India strategy involves encouraging global suppliers—particularly in engines, components, electrical systems, and avionics—to establish MRO facilities within the country. French aerospace firm Safran has already begun setting up engine MRO units, while Boeing is initiating landing gear work in India.
India’s civil aviation market remains one of the fastest-growing globally, with a flurry of aircraft orders in recent years. Gupte noted that Boeing’s focus extends beyond aircraft delivery to building a robust aviation ecosystem, which includes pilot training and inclusive workforce development. Initiatives like competency-based training and the ‘Sukanya’ program for women in aviation are part of this broader vision.
On the defense front, Boeing continues to invest in co-development and co-production opportunities. Recent deliveries, such as Apache helicopters for the Indian Army, reflect the company’s commitment to deepening its footprint in India’s defense sector. Gupte reiterated that collaborative platforms will be central to India’s aerospace journey in the years ahead.
