What is BIETC, Boeing's largest facility outside the US in Bengaluru?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate American aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s new global engineering and technology centre campus in Bengaluru on Friday.Built at a cost of ₹1,600 crore, the 43-acre Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) campus is the aviation giant's largest such investment outside the US, according to PTI.Here’s all we know about the state-of-the-art facility that will bring in new opportunities for women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).About BIETCBIETC is Boeing’s new campus in India’s Bengaluru.According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) statement, the campus at Hightech Defence and Aerospace Park in Devanahalli on the city outskirts will become “a cornerstone for partnership with the vibrant startup, private and government ecosystem in the country.”The facility will help develop next-generation products and services for the global aerospace and defence industry.It will create new opportunities in BengaluruPM Modi will also launch the “Boeing Sukanya Programme," which aims to support the entry of more women from across India into the aviation sector.According to the press release, the programme will provide opportunities for girls and women to learn critical skills in STEM fields and train for jobs in the aviation sector.For young girls, the programme will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark an interest in STEM careers. It will also provide scholarships to women training to be pilots.According to Indian Express, BIETC aims to produce 3,000+ varied engineers who will support the expansion of the aerospace industry globally.Boeing will also collaborate with the Indian armed forces to support Aatmanirbhar Bharat and increase the demand for aircraft in the defence industry, the report said.Boeing states that its engineers are working on global markets, undertaking research and development, and utilising modern technologies including cloud computing, artificial intelligence or machine learning, model-based engineering, and additive manufacturing.Recently, Boeing India announced 107 hiring opportunities in various cities, out of which 97 are in Bengaluru.Software engineers, billing analysts, structure analysis engineers, product review engineers, associate systems engineers, programme analysts, and digital electronics architects are just a few of the talents that BIETC plans to hire in Bengaluru, according to Indian Express.Moreover, Boeing also invited applications from university students and early-stage startups in India for its Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) programme (2023-24). Launched in 2019, the programme “aims to support India’s robust startup ecosystem by providing a platform for students and startups to innovate in the country.”According to the company website, it continues to partner with seven incubators – 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.Boeing in IndiaWith its headquarters located in Delhi, Boeing operates in India through a rapidly expanding Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) in Bengaluru and Chennai, as well as field service offices in Mumbai, Hindan, Rajali, and New Delhi, as per Moneycontrol.According to Boeing India, the company is focused on “delivering value to Indian customers with advanced technologies and is committed to creating sustainable value in the Indian aerospace sector.”Boeing has improved its supply chain by partnering with over 300 Indian businesses and forming a joint venture to produce vertical fin structures for the 737 family of aeroplanes and fuselages for Apache helicopters, reported Indian Express.It sources about $1 billion worth of goods from India each year. Currently, Boeing has more than 6,000 employees in India, and it employs more than 13,000 people through its supply chain partners.Boeing said last year that it would invest $100 million in pilot training programmes and infrastructure in India. This came after Air India placed firm orders with Boeing for over 200 aircraft, including 190 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft, 10 777Xs, and 20 787 Dreamliners.According to Moneycontrol, the aerospace industry is concentrating in Devanahalli as Bengaluru expands northward.This is because Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is close by, and the Blue Metro line (KR Pura – Yelahanka – KIA) will be convenient when it opens in 2026.With inputs from agencies