'Airbus can't be global without India'

Acknowledging that it cannot be truly global without being present in India, French aircraft maker Airbus Industrie has drawn plans to expand market share and strengthen research capabilities in the country.

"India is one of our strategic partners. You can't be global without being in India -- with its large number of highly skilled, motivated and knowledgeable people," Airbus CEO and president Tom Enders told reporters at the Berlin air show.

Noting that Airbus Industrie would have to think beyond its "European Box" and become global, he san take advantage of the best the world can offer in terms of resources, people and skills.

Referring to India, the head of the aviation major said: "We are capitalising on the incredible energy and entrepreneurial spirit in this country. We have initiated research and training cooperation with some of the most respected Indian universities and laboratories."

While terming the opening of its centre in Bangalore as a "small step", he, however, made it clear that the company had "big" plans in store. "Last year we opened our first Airbus engineering centre in Bangalore."

At this high-tech centre, Indian engineers are responsible for developing advanced modeling and simulation, covering crucial factors in the design and production of high performance aircraft such as A380 and A350.

"We started with 25 engineers and will now quickly grow to 300 Indian employees...and I believe, there is more to come," Enders said.

I consider it to be my mission to drive Airbus towards becoming a really global enterprise -- with strong roots in Europe -- but with a truly global approach," Enders said.

Last year, India accounted for 30 per cent of Airbus' global orders and this year it is 20 per cent, according to Airbus executive vice president Kiran Rao.

Airbus aircraft are in service with Indian airlines (now Air India), Kingfisher Airlines, Air Deccan, Indigo and Jet Airways. Kingfisher Airlines had placed orders for 50 Airbus aircraft, including five super jumbos (A380s) at the Paris air show last year, while the state-run Indian had ordered for 48 jets.

Stating that Airbus would be outsourcing its work to "risk sharing" partners, Enders said: "This approach allows us to concentrate on our core role of being an aircraft architect and integrator and re-focus our resources on research and technology in order to develop next generation, eco-efficient technologies."