Tata-Boeing JV opens facility to make fuselages for Apache

Suresh Dharur

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Tribune News Service 

Hyderabad, March 1

Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), today inaugurated the country’s first facility to produce fuselages for the AH-64 Apache helicopter here.

Spread over 14,000 sq mt area and employing 350 highly skilled workers, the state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited was formed in 2015 following a partnership agreement. The construction of the manufacturing facility began in June 2016 and has been completed on schedule.

“The manufacturing of advanced defence platforms and being integrated with the complex global supply chain will help our aerospace industry acquire technology, build local capability, provide employment and become a global exporter,” Sitharaman said after the inauguration. 

Apache is the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter and used by the US forces and many other countries, including India. The Hyderabad facility will eventually be the sole producer of AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselages globally.

TASL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is already on contract to manufacture aerostructures for Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook and AH-6i helicopters.

“TBAL is just the beginning of Boeing’s future journey of partnership with India,” said Pratyush Kumar, President, Boeing India. “As we progress, we see this as a major step towards future opportunities to pursue the co-development of integrated systems in aerospace and defence. Our partnership with Indian industry fulfills the goals of the ‘Make in India’ initiative and results in mutual growth and productivity growth for both India and Boeing,” he said.

“The inauguration of the TBAL facility marks an important milestone in our collaborative engineering journey with Boeing. As India focuses on indigenous manufacturing in the defence market, this partnership is a testimony to Tata Group’s commitment to develop global high-end technology in defence manufacturing, making India more self-reliant,” said Sukaran Singh, MD and CEO, Tata Advanced Systems said. 

Unit to be sole global producer of fuselages for AH-64 Apache

• Spread over 14,000-sq mt area and employing 350 highly skilled workers, the facility will be the sole global producer of fuselages for AH-64 Apache helicopter delivered by Boeing to its global customers, including the US Army
• The facility will also produce secondary structures and vertical spar boxes of this multi-role combat helicopter
• The delivery of the first fuselage is expected in 2018