Article Posted on : - Jun 20, 2016

HYDERABAD (PTI): The Boeing-Tata joint venture in the aerospace sector is a significant step towards developing India's capabilities in the aerospace and defence manufacturing, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said.

"The joint venture between Tata and Boeing is a significant step in developing India's capabilities for aerospace and defence manufacturing, and becoming a global exporter. This is a clear example of the significant progress made towards "Make in India" in defence (sector)," he said on June 18.

Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) last year set up a joint venture to manufacture aerostructures and collaborate on integrated systems development opportunities in India.

Parrikar was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of a new production facility of TBAL.

K T Rama Rao, Telangana IT and Industries Minister, S Ramadorai, Chairman of TASL and Pratyush Kumar, President, Boeing India, and a board member of TBAL, among others, were present at the event.

TASL has been established to co-produce Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselages and other aerostructures, as well as to pursue integrated systems in aerospace.

The Hyderabad production facility will eventually be the sole producer of AH-64 fuselages globally. TASL will also provide affordable manufacturing capabilities to the global aerospace industry.

Ramadorai said the joint venture brings together the core strengths of both companies and will help them take this strategic relationship to the next level.

Dave Koopersmith, Boeing Vice-President, Vertical Lift, said the event was the next step in Boeing and TASL's journey to develop key technologies and capabilities.

"We will be making significant investments to ensure the success of this joint venture as we bring value to our customers globally and compete for additional manufacturing work in the global market," he said.

Sukaran Singh, MD and CEO, Tata Advanced, and a Board Member of TBAL, said the Tata Group Company has developed expertise in manufacturing as well as in large-scale systems integration work in the aerospace and defence sector. Their capabilities are further enhanced through collaborations and partnerships with leading global aerospace majors.

"We intend to grow this unique joint venture partnership with Boeing, focusing on opportunities to collaborate on development and life cycle management of integrated systems," Singh said.