Stephen Parker on military strategy
From The Boeing Super Hornet: Steve Parker Exclusive | Parliament Panel Quizzes Tech Cos | Newscentre · · CNBC-TV18
“When you're on a carrier out in the blue sea, do you want the best aircraft that will bring your pilots back and give you the maximum chance of success against an adversary? The Indian Navy wants the best aircraft to protect the nation, and we believe the Super Hornet is that aircraft.”
On , Stephen Parker, Executive Vice President; President and Chief Executive Officer, Boeing Defense, Space & Security at Boeing, spoke about military strategy during The Boeing Super Hornet: Steve Parker Exclusive | Parliament Panel Quizzes Tech Cos | Newscentre on CNBC-TV18.
About Stephen Parker
In a September 2022 interview, Steve Parker, then Vice President and General Manager of Bombers and Fighters at Boeing, discussed the company's F/A-18 Super Hornet offering for the Indian Navy. Parker stated that the Block III Super Hornet is "the most advanced carrier aircraft in the world" and described it as having a 10,000-hour airframe and integrated fifth-generation sensors. He argued that the aircraft is "the right choice" for India's defense and peacekeeping missions, citing its ability to operate from Indian carriers and control unmanned aircraft. Parker also highlighted the Super Hornet's cost per flying hour, which he said is $19,000 based on publicly available U.S. data, and described it as having "the best cost per flying hour track record of any fighter." Parker outlined Boeing's localization strategy if awarded a contract for 26 aircraft, mentioning a proposed $3.6 billion package over 10 years focused on engineering and manufacturing in India. He noted that the company has over 300 engine suppliers in India and a team of 4,000 people in the country. Parker said the deal represents an opportunity for the India-U.S. relationship and that Boeing could accelerate delivery timelines beyond the typical 36 months. He added that the Super Hornet is "very capable" for addressing India's security challenges, including tensions with China and Pakistan, and described it as "the backbone strike fighter for the U.S. Navy."