'Completely blown away': Airbus chairman praises India's Key Engineering and Innovation Hub

Airbus Chairman René Obermann praised India’s engineering excellence, entrepreneurial ambition, and strategic importance to the aerospace industry. Highlighting his recent visit, he emphasized India’s role as a long-term partner and a hub for technological innovation. Obermann noted Airbus's collaboration with Indian suppliers under the "Make in India" initiative, while addressing global supply chain challenges. He also recognized evolving geopolitical dynamics, fostering deeper partnerships between India and a united Europe in aerospace innovation.

India's engineering talent, ambition, and growing global significance have been lauded by Airbus Chairman René Obermann, who described the country as a strategic partner and vital player in the aerospace industry. Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue, Obermann expressed optimism about India's potential, citing its exceptional quality of engineering and entrepreneurial drive.

Reflecting on his recent visit to the country, Obermann was effusive in his praise. "I spent a week in India, and I was absolutely amazed by the level of excellence in engineering and the high-quality work being done there. India is not just a partner for Airbus in the short term but a key part of our long-term strategy," he said.

India’s Ambition and Talent Shine Bright

Obermann highlighted the ambitious spirit he encountered among Indian professionals. "The entrepreneurial ambition I witnessed in India is unparalleled. While the country still has some distance to cover in terms of GDP per capita, the people I met were exceptionally well-educated, highly skilled in engineering, and incredibly driven," he shared.

Airbus's engagement with India, according to Obermann, is rooted in more than just cost efficiency. The aerospace giant views India as a collaborator in technological innovation. "Our discussions with Indian partners were not just about cost reduction but about how we can improve and innovate together. The focus was on leveraging India's technological expertise and talent to evolve our partnership," he explained.

Strengthening Local Partnerships

Airbus has adopted a "local for local" approach to manufacturing, aligning closely with India's "Make in India" initiative. Obermann emphasized the company's commitment to working collaboratively with local suppliers and co-developers. "We aim to be deeply integrated with India's supply chain. For instance, we are building the C295 military transport aircraft in India, which includes a final assembly line. This approach isn't unique to India; we follow a similar model in countries like China and the U.S.," he noted.

The Challenge of Interconnected Supply Chains

Discussing global trade and supply chain dynamics, Obermann acknowledged the complexities faced by industries like aerospace. While some talk of decoupling economies, he argued that such a move is highly impractical. "The world is deeply interconnected, and completely separating supply chains is almost impossible. Instead, the focus should be on creating mutual dependencies to strengthen partnerships and improve negotiation leverage," he said.

He also noted the importance of building resilience in supply chains. "In aerospace, where production volumes are relatively low and components are highly specialized, achieving redundancy is challenging. It's essential to strike a balance and continuously adapt strategies to meet evolving circumstances," Obermann added.

A New Era of Collaboration Between Europe and India

Obermann pointed to shifting geopolitical dynamics as an opportunity for enhanced collaboration between Europe and India. Historically, India has engaged with individual European nations, but recent developments have encouraged it to view Europe as a unified entity. "India now sees Europe as a collective voice, which opens up unique opportunities for collaboration. This shift has been driven in part by changes in the global political landscape," he explained.

The Path Ahead

As Airbus continues to deepen its relationship with India, Obermann's remarks underscore the strategic importance of this partnership. With a focus on innovation, local collaboration, and mutual growth, India is poised to play an increasingly significant role in Airbus's global operations. The country's engineering excellence and entrepreneurial ambition, as highlighted by Obermann, position it as a critical pillar in the future of aerospace innovation.