The aircraft manufacturer Boeing has opened its Research and Technology (R&T) center in Bangalore with a view to rope in more partners and to make use of the exceptional talent pool in the region.

Boeing Chief Technology Officer John J Tracy is upbeat about the region and its potential. “There is an exceptional talent pool in India as it is the second largest pool of scientists and technologists in the world,” he says.

The new center in India, which is the third overseas R&T unit for the firm, targets $105 billion revenue in 20 years from the commercial side (Boeing Commercial Airplanes) and $31 billion from the military arena (Integrated Defense Systems) in 10 years.

With a headcount of 30 researchers and technologists, the center plans further expansions and strengthening of its collaborative partnerships with companies like Wipro, HCL, Infotech, and TCS through the new lab.

The company set its first footprint in India in 2003 through Boeing India, its wholly owned subsidiary. Its India presence spans across nine cities including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi.