Tata Boeing Aerospace opens Apache fuselage facility in Hyderabad

Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) today inaugurated its state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad,  for the manufacture of fuselages for Boeing's AH-64 Apache helicopter..

Spread over 14,000-square meters and employing 350 highly skilled workers, the Hyderabad facility will be sole producer of AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselages  delivered by Boeing to its global customers, including the US Army. Delivery of the first fuselage expected in 2018.

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.

''I congratulate Tata and Boeing for taking this bold step towards Make in India and making this substantial investment in the defence space," said defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman. ''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," she added.

Boeing and Tasl signed a joint venture in India in 2015 under a partnership agreement.  Construction of the manufacturing facility began in 2016 and was completed on schedule. Boeing and TASL also worked jointly to develop a pool of highly skilled aerospace talent through skill development initiatives.

''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 fulfils the goals of the 'Make in India' initiative and results in mutual growth and productivity growth for both India and Boeing,'' he added

''Tata is a significant player in the global aerospace market focused on leveraging opportunities in global markets and reducing India's reliance on imports in defence related requirements, 60 per cent of which is met through imports. With the streamlining of the export regulation process under the Strategy for Defence Exports (SDE) of the Government of India, and with established capabilities and demonstrated deliveries, we are poised to emerge as a supplier of choice for global OEMs," said Banmali Agrawala, president, infrastructure, defence and aerospace, Tata Sons.

''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 testimony to Tata Group's commitment to develop global high-end technology in defence manufacturing, making India more self-reliant,'' Sukaran Singh, MD and CEO, Tata Advanced Systems, said.

TASL, the strategic aerospace and defence arm of the Tata Group, is a key player in the global aerospace and defence market. With established capabilities throughout the aerospace value chain from design to full aircraft assembly, it is a premier manufacturing partner for global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as the Government of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.

More than 2,300 Boeing-made Apache helicopters are operated by customers around the world since the aircraft entered production. The United States Army Apache fleet alone has accumulated more than 4.3 million flight hours, including more than 1.2 million in combat, as of January 2018. The helicopter has been fielded or selected for acquisition by the armed forces of 16 countries, including India.

Boeing is expanding its engagement with India's ministry of defence and has developed a competitive supplier base in the country that is integrated into Boeing's global supply chain. The defence ministry finalised an order with Boeing for 22 AH-64E Apache helicopters in September 2015, deliveries for which are scheduled to begin in 2019.