Exclusive Interview
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) exhibited at the Bahrain International Airshow for the first time and showcased variety of products. At this occasion, Vishal Kashyap, Managing Editor, Aviation World interacted with Mr. Shmuel kuzi, Executive VP and GM-Aviation Group, IAI, who talked about aircraft conversion project, vision for GCC regions, Make in India and the close friendship between the two powerful nations India & Israel. Excerpts from the interview…
What are the focus areas that IAI is looking forward to as future?
For IAI, one of the primary focus areas is conversion of passenger aircraft. Today, around 70 % of the market revolves around conversion of Boeing 767. The next 10-15 years we will rule because we have wealth of experience of converting aero planes for more than 45 years. And going by the symmetry of conversion of Boeing 747/757/767,777 & Airbus 320, in future we will be converting Boeing 777 and we are going to lead the market. So with this experience, we have lot of very-very talented engineers who give us the opportunity to do this complicated work and we are very happy and proud of that. This is about the conversion as it is a very important issue for us and with that we are looking forward to the future which seems very good.
How do you see your participation at the Bahrain International Air show for the first time?
It’s a historic moment for us and is very intimate. It’s not huge as other air shows but I really liked the atmosphere. We interacted with many new people and also we met our friends from Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. So, for us it’s new and we liked it very much. There is lot of potential of working between the two countries. So it’s very nice and people here are very welcoming and they liked our presence here.
What is your business focus for the GCC regions?
We have started talking here about civil aviation and we see lot of opportunities here in Bahrain. Any business doesn’t come in one day. We are very well known in the Abu Dhabi and we have some relationship over there. Here, we have started talking about conversion of aero planes and we don’t force anyone but we try to make win-win situation for everyone and this is what we are going to do here.
Anything specific that you are focusing through the participation at this air show?
At the moment nothing as this is the first time we have participated at BAS. As we don’t know anyone, there is no talking, no understanding, so it’s important to mix with each other. After this, we will come with experience because in the beginning you have to know with whom you are dealing with.
How you see your presence in the India?
We have business relation with HAL at present. We are checking with few options now to work together in India, with India. Now that the Prime Minister of India is focused into ‘Make in India’, so we are doing everything to be in position that we can supply the goods. So we are seeking after cooperation. India is big & important country and Israel has a very good relationship with them. We have to develop things in the civil aviation sector for ex. MRO, engine shop, etc. There is a lot of air traffic in India, so we can do something together, start to talk about that but now it’s premature. We didn’t succeed too much but we like the challenge because it’s not easy task.
What is IAI Vision to participate Make in India and Make for the World concept?
We have started making business relations with India. Israel and India are going to make bridge and everything will be routed through them. As I said before, we are talking about Civil Aviation, aero planes conversion, engine shops, depending what is needed and what can make business issue. There is a lot of opportunity between us. India is a huge country with huge amount of aero planes that can find the place for cooperation between the two companies and two countries in the race.
Israel and India are very good friends.So anything specific plans that you would like to share for year 2023 and beyond?
Today, this kind of relationship has to meet the goals of the Prime Minister of India. So we have to join the company in India and working together. In this case things have changed from the past, where you come, offer your deals and take it or leave it. Today, you know your relationship is tight starting with a company in India and then you start working. So to develop a full association will take time. Because we have to find the right partner and right thing on which we can work together. This is the future and we will be there for sure because the demand is huge and there is no reason about not to be there and we are seeking after this kind of relationship or Joint venture .I think the bridge will be there to create win-win situation for all of us in India.
Anything specific you would like mention about India & Israel?
India is good friend of Israel. IAI & India have long-long and good relationship. We have to keep on doing everything that is good for two sides. I think what the PM Modi says indeed its very smart work. Sometimes things are little bit more complicated but it’s the right work for India. India has to be the place where witness lot of things as it’s a huge country. You know what you are doing and with technology you can be another place.
