Tata Boeing Aerospace Ltd has announced the delivery of the first AH-64 Apache combat helicopter fuselage ahead of schedule from its facility located near Hyderabad. The fuselage will now be transported to Boeing’s AH-64 Apache manufacturing facility in Mesa, AZ, for integration into the final assembly line. This delivery comes within a year of the aerospace joint venture facility becoming operational.

Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister, inaugurated the facility spread over 14,000-square meters and employing 350 highly skilled workers at full production. The facility will be the sole global producer of fuselages for the AH-64 Apache helicopter, delivered by Boeing to its global customers, including the US Army. The facility will also produce secondary structures and vertical spar boxes for the multi-role combat helicopter.

“This is a major step forward in Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems’ continued commitment to make advanced, high quality aerostructures in India,” Pratyush Kumar, President, Boeing India, said.

Sukaran Singh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tata Advanced Systems, 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 an aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem in India.”

“The delivery of the fuselage within a year of the facility becoming operational is a huge boost to indigenous manufacturing and also demonstrates our commitment to deliver high quality products within a short span of time,” he said.

Tata Boeing Aerospace, Boeing’s first equity joint venture in India, is the result of a 2015 partnership agreement with TASL. Construction of the manufacturing facility began in 2016 and was completed on schedule a year later. In addition, Boeing and TASL have worked closely to develop a pool of highly skilled aerospace talent through skill development initiatives.

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