Hyderabad: Tata Boeing Aerospace opens Apache fuselage facility

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], Mar. 2 (ANI): Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), inaugurated its state-of-the-art facility in Telangana's Hyderabad city for the manufacture of fuselages for Boeing's AH-64 Apache helicopter.

Spread over 14,000-square metres and employing 350 highly skilled workers, the facility will be the sole global manufacturing facility for global markets including the US Army, a joint press release from Tata and Boeing said.

The state government has signed a contract with Tata Trust under Comprehensive Cancer Care Management Program.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Telangana minister for industries and information technology KT Rama Rao inaugurated the facility while the agreement was signed by KTR, Lakshmareddy and Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata at Shamshabad Novotel Hotel.

Speaking at the occasion, Sitharaman congratulated the Tata and Boeing for taking the bold step towards - Make in India- and making the substantial investment in the defence space.

The Minister further said the joint venture is a significant step in developing India's capabilities for aerospace and defence manufacturing and becoming a global exporter.

Stating that Telangana is leveraging its strength in aerospace and defence, KTR said the state was looking forward to setting up an exclusive centre for innovation in this sector also.

"Telangana is a hotbed for innovations, which include the largest defence manufacturing ecosystem and largest technology incubator T-Hub. We are currently focussing on setting up India's largest prototyping facility called T-works," he said.

Principal Secretary, Santhakumari noted that he is conducting various awareness programs on cancer prevention.

Tata Group is providing special services in Healthcare.

"There are medical examinations in the state under this program. Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) and various hospitals are providing treatment to cancer. We are working with the Telangana government on cancer control," Tata Trust Health Director Srinivas said.

The Hyderabad production facility will eventually be the sole producer of AH-64 fuselages globally. The Apache has been flown or selected for acquisition by the United States and 15 other nations, including India.

The Indian ministry of defence finalised an order with Boeing for 22 AH-64E Apache helicopters in September 2015, deliveries for which are scheduled to begin in 2019.

US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus, Tata Sons and Leanne Caret, president and CEO, Boeing Defence, Space and Security also spoke at the function. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI