Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Boeing have entered into an aerospace and defence manufacturing pact. The two companies will co-produce aero-structures and collaborate on developing integrated systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles.
The companies intend to access markets jointly for the products and platforms to be developed together; TASL is already on contract to manufacture aero-structures for Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook and AH-6i helicopters.
The agreement was signed by Shelley Lavender, president of Boeing Military Aircraft, and Sukaran Singh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TASL.
In a statement, Lavender pointed out that the agreement with TASL demonstrated Boeing’s commitment to expanding its aerospace manufacturing footprint in India. Pratyush Kumar, president for Boeing India, noted in the statement, “As we step into our 100{+t}{+h} year in business, a new aerospace partnership with India is the perfect milestone to accelerate the momentum we have generated for making in India.”
“It gives us an opportunity to explore the massive potential in India for aerospace manufacturing and make the investments required to grow the industry,” said S Ramadorai, Chairman of TASL, in the statement:
Stating that Boeing’s platforms require complex manufacturing processes within a competitive cost structure, Ramadorai said he was confident that the partnership would be able to deliver high-quality aero-structures out of India.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, TASL focusses on providing integrated solutions for aerospace, defence and homeland security. Other Tata group companies, Tata Advanced Materials Ltd and TAL Manufacturing Solutions, will also supply key components to Boeing.
The TASL deal is seen as giving a major fillip to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. India stands to improve its industrial credentials by signing such deals, say analysts.
The Mahindra Group, too, recently clinched a multi-million dollar aerospace contract with Airbus. Mahindra Aerospace will collaborate with GE Aviation, known for its civil and military jet engines and integrated aircraft systems, for manufacturing aero-structures.