Tata Boeing Aerospace has delivered the first AH-64 Apache multi-role combat helicopter fuselage ahead of schedule, from its facility in the Indian city of Hyderabad.
Upon delivery, the fuselage will be transported to Boeing’s AH-64 Apache production facility in Mesa, Arizona, US, for integration into the final assembly line.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) managing director and chief executive officer Sukaran Singh said: “The timely delivery of the AH–64 Apache helicopter fuselage marks a milestone in our collaborative journey with Boeing.
“Our partnership reflects a continued commitment to develop aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem in India.
“The delivery of the fuselage within a year of the facility being operational is a huge boost to indigenous manufacturing and also demonstrates our commitment to deliver high quality products within a short span of time.”
The 14,000m2 new facility, which became operational a year ago, will offer jobs to 350 highly skilled workers during the full production phase.
Currently, the Hyderabad site is the only global manufacturing unit of fuselages for the AH-64 Apache helicopters, which are delivered by Boeing to its different customers across the world, including the US Army.
The facility will also be used to manufacture secondary structures and vertical spar boxes for the combat helicopter.
Boeing India president Pratyush Kumar said: “Our investments in technology, capability and skilling are clearly paying off as evident from the quality and speed at which this delivery milestone has been achieved.
“As we accelerate our efforts, we see this as a major step towards future opportunities to pursue the co-development of integrated systems in aerospace and defence.”
Tata Boeing Aerospace is the first equity joint venture of Boeing in India, which was established after a partnership agreement was signed with TASL in 2015.
