Boeing has named a 22-year company veteran to head its India defence business, as the airframer eyes future military aircraft sales and supply-chain opportunities on the sub-continent.
Dennis Swanson has worked in both Boeing's commercial and defence businesses, with experience in India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, Boeing said.
During Swanson's career he has managed industrial-participation programmes and supplier-management activities. This includes a previous role in India.
"Swanson's association with India began in 1999, when he led supplier-management and procurement efforts for BCA in India," Boeing said. "He was part of the team that began engaging with Indian industry to place offset contracts with Boeing's key suppliers in the country."
Swanson's appointment comes during a good year for Boeing in India.
Although its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was cut from the medium multi-role combat aircraft competition, the US company closed a $4.1 billion deal in June to sell India 10 C-17 strategic transports. Indian media reports consistently say there is a strong possibility of India buying six more of the airlifters.
Boeing also recently announced India's first of eight P-8I Neptune maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft has entered production.
Swanson's predecessor was Vivek Lall, who left the company earlier this year.
Source: Flight International
