Governor Greg Gianforte continued his trade mission to India on October 8, 2026, by visiting the Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center – BIETC in order to strengthen Boeing’s established relationship with Montana and foster opportunities for more aerospace capital, manufacturing, and aerospace supply chain expansion in the Treasure State.
Gov. Gianforte added, “Boeing’s footprint in Montana is proof that world-class aerospace manufacturing can thrive under the Big Sky. As Boeing looks to the future, we want more of its parts made in Montana, more Montana businesses to support a reliable supply chain, and more Montanans building the aircraft of tomorrow.”
Boeing’s long-term investment in Montana is focused on its Helena fabrication facility that produces intricate titanium and hard-metal components for Boeing commercial aircraft. Since taking over operations in 2010, Boeing has added to the facility several times, including to accommodate production for the 787-10 and 777X, growing the site to over 257,000 square feet.
Boeing also has a flight-testing operation in Glasgow, where it has tested technologies for more efficient aircraft and less noise. Boeing returned to Glasgow for 2026 flight testing as part of its ecoDemonstrator program.
The trade mission also involved a tour of Boeing’s engineering and technology operations in Bengaluru with the governor and Montana delegation, where BIETC supports the global aerospace programs of Boeing via digital technologies, analytics, engineering, research, cybersecurity, as well as advanced technology development.
During the visit, Gov. Gianforte pointed to the growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors in Montana and discussed possibilities for Montana companies and workers to play a greater part in Boeing’s local and global supply chains.
It is well to be noted that it was only last year in 2025 that Montana shipped an all-time high of about $6.9 million in commercial aircraft parts to India, making the South Asian country Montana’s sixth-largest export market for the product.
The growth when it comes to aerospace supply chain expansion compliments Montana’s advanced manufacturing sector advancement. Gov. Gianforte recently celebrated the $800 million investment by Janicki Industries in Great Falls to build an advanced manufacturing campus to service aerospace, defense, and space customers. The project is expected to create more than 2,000 Montana jobs upon completion.
Salil Gupte, president of Boeing India and South Asia, said, “It was a pleasure to host Governor Gianforte and the Montana trade delegation at the Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center in Bengaluru. Montana and India bring complementary strengths to Boeing’s global aerospace ecosystem, and we see clear opportunities to deepen collaboration across our supply chain, technology, and engineering capabilities to drive innovation and resilience. Our long-standing partnership with Technovation reflects that same commitment to developing the next generation of innovators. It was inspiring to see students from around the world tackle real-world challenges at BIETC, and we were pleased to have Governor Gianforte witness that energy and ingenuity firsthand.
Boeing has also invested money in training Montana’s future workers. Earlier in 2026, the company announced a $100,000 grant to the Helena Education Foundation so as to help support robotics programming and to broaden STEM education and career pathways for Helena students.
The visit is part of Gov. Gianforte’s trade mission to India, in which the Montana delegation is attempting to attract investment, broaden markets for Montana businesses, and bolster partnerships in aerospace and defense, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, photonics, quantum technology, and various other emerging industries.
