Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi dedicated two landmark Boeing initiatives that promise to significantly advance India's aerospace and defence industry.

Prime Minister Modi launched the Boeing Sukanya Program that aims to support the entry of more girl children from across India into the country's growing aviation sector. The program will provide opportunities forgirls and women from across India to learn critical skills in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and train for jobs in the aviation sector. For young girls, the program will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers. The program will also provide scholarships to women who are training to be pilots. Investments will support flight training curriculum, obtaining certifications, funding for simulator trainings, and career development programs.

Prime Minister Modi also officially commemorated the opening ofthenew state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru. Built with an investment of 1,600 crore, the 43-acre campus is Boeing's largest such investment outside the U.S., and will become a cornerstone for partnering with India on next generation products and services for the global aerospace and defence industry.

The Prime Minister was joined by Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka; Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka; R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition – Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Government of Karnataka, and Boeing Chief Operating Officer, Stephanie Pope, along with other senior Boeing executives.

"We are honored and privileged to support Prime Minister Modi's transformative vision for India, and we are grateful to have him dedicate the Boeing campus to foster aerospace innovation in the country," said David L. Calhoun, Boeing President and CEO.

Stephanie Pope, Chief Operating Officer, The Boeing Company, said, "We are thrilled for Prime Minister Modi to have personally launched the Boeing Sukanya Program. Together, we will help expand opportunity for women across India to pursue careers and leadership positions in the aviation sector."

Boeing's Unique India Campus

Fostering Aerospace Advancements in India

The center in Bengaluru will house Boeing's engineering, test, and research and technology teams, performing advanced high-quality aerospace engineering work. This includes support in structural and systems design, manufacturing support, aircraft testing system development, and digital solutions that drive sustainability in aviation. At the forefront of cutting-edge research and development, Boeing's Bengaluru team engages in pioneering work in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet-of-Things, Cloud Solutions, Model-Based Engineering, and Additive Manufacturing to enhance quality, safety, and productivity.

Showcase Center for Collaborative Innovation and Excellence in India

This campus in Bengaluru will also be a cornerstone for partnering with India on next generation products and services for the global aerospace and defense industry. Ultimately the campus will become one of the most cutting-edge examples of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

Fostering Innovation through Incubator Programs

The new campus in Bengaluru also serves as the hub for work with Indian startups and universities, as Boeing collaborates with seven incubators, including Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – IIT Mumbai, Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer – IIT Delhi, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center – IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, Society for Innovation and Development – IISC Bengaluru, T-Hub Hyderabad, and Technology Business Incubator – KIIT Bhubaneshwar. Together, they host the Boeing University Innovation Leadership and Development program (BUILD) annually in India. This partnership cultivates emerging entrepreneurs in India, acknowledging the significant role startups play in a nation marked by a burgeoning middle class and expanding digital infrastructure.

Boeing's India team is a key player in driving aerospace innovation and engineering excellence, contributing to Boeing's global mission to deliver safe and advanced products and services to valued customers.