Article Posted on : - Aug 25, 2014

The PC-12 single engine turboprop passenger jet. A Pilatus photo

STANS, SWITZERLAND (BNS): Swiss aircraft maker Pilatus has tied up with India's Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the assembly of aero structures for the PC-12 passenger and cargo plane at the latter's Hyderabad facility.

The long-term contract between the two companies has been signed for a ten-year period and provides for delivery of the first complete PC-12 NG aero structure during the second half of 2016.

The project includes tooling, jigs and training of TASL's personnel at Pilatus facilities in Switzerland. The training will enable TASL to supply PC-12 NG aero structures for the Pilatus global supply chain, the Swiss company announced on Aug 25.

"We are delighted to enter into a relationship with TASL, which is known for its high quality aero structure assembly capability, proven to many prestigious international aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). TATA is without doubt a partner of choice for Pilatus in the continued expansion of its portfolio of international subcontractors.

The partnership is also important in the context of Pilatus' offset obligation resulting from the sale of the PC-7 MkII training aircraft system to the Indian Air Force," Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, said.

India had awarded a contract worth over 500 million Swiss Francs (Rs. 2,800 crore) to Pilatus in 2012 for 75 PC-7 MkII light trainer aircraft to train the Indian Air Force's newly-recruited pilots.

As part of the deal, the Swiss company had entered into an off-set obligation as stipulated by India's Defence Procurement Policy which entails the foreign vendor bagging a deal worth over Rs 300 crore to invest 30 per cent of the original contract value back in the Indian defence industry.