In a significant development for Tamil Nadu’s research and development landscape, aerospace giant Boeing is poised to strengthen its presence in Chennai. The company is gearing up to sign an investment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024. This move aligns with Boeing’s plan to enhance its workforce in Chennai by approximately 30%, with an anticipated addition of around one lakh square feet of space to its existing R&D center at DLF, Porur. The exact investment amount for this expansion is yet to be disclosed.
Boeing, a key player in the aerospace sector, already employs over 4,500 professionals in India through Boeing India Engineering and Technology (BIETC), spanning Bengaluru and Chennai. While Bengaluru serves as the company’s largest center outside the US, Chennai accommodates a team of around 800 professionals. Both Boeing and Tamil Nadu state officials refrained from providing specific comments on the impending expansion.
Established formally in 2016, BIETC houses Boeing’s engineering, research, IT, and analytics teams, offering advanced expertise in defense, space, and commercial sectors. The Chennai facility contributes to cutting-edge research and development in areas such as airplane health management, advanced communications, network security, and leverages emerging technologies like AI, ML, and IoT.
Boeing’s enduring partnership with India extends to both commercial aviation and defense. The company’s annual sourcing from India exceeds $1 billion through a network of over 300 suppliers. Additionally, Boeing, in collaboration with Tata Group, operates Tata Boeing Aerospace, a joint venture producing AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselages and 737 aircraft vertical fin structures for global markets. Another joint venture with GMR Aero Technic in Hyderabad is underway to establish a Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) line.
This expansion reinforces Boeing’s commitment to fostering India’s aerospace capabilities and marks a positive stride for the state’s R&D ecosystem.
