December 2, 2015.
Hyderabad.
The Aerospace sector is all set to fly high in Telangana. Boeing, Tata are going to develop Apache fuselage in Hyderabad, said to be a big leap forward for Telangana in the aerospace sector.
At the ongoing Defense & Aerosupply Conclave 2015, IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, top executives of Boeing India and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have announced on the sidelines of supplier meet of Boeing that a centre to manufacture aerostructures for AH-64 Apache helicopter will come up in Hyderabad. Secretaries Arvind Kumar (Industries) and Jayesh Ranjan (IT) were also present on the occassion.
The announcement came as a follow-up to the joint venture the two companies had announced last month.
Pratyush Kumar, president, Boeing India : "We are making a beginning with manufacture of aerostrucures for Apache and will take this partnership forward to develop advanced systems. It is a special day when we have met over 100 Indian buyers and vendors. It marks a special occasion. The JV will initially start with making aero structures, with the Apache fuselage and move on to manufacture of advanced systems in the future."
Sukaran Singh, CEO and managing director of TASL: "We have been in Telangana State for over 5 years and are very happy with the experience. The JV will truly be a Make in India initiative"
The AH-64 Apache is the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopter and is used by the US Army and defence forces of other countries. Boeing has delivered more than 2,100 Apaches to customers around the world since 1984.
The state government has agreed to allocate land and provide all other support required for the unit, which is coming up near aerospace Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Adibatla on the outskirts of the city. TASL already has four joint ventures with global companies here. The finer details of the extent of land to be made available, the exact location and the timelines are yet to be confirmed.
Briefing media after participating in the meet, the Minister disclosed:
- The beginning of this partnership was made in May when he had met Boeing officials during his visit to the US
- There is no bigger name than Boeing in aerospace and defence
- The addition of marquee name like Boeing would be a big value addition for Telangana and would boost the state government's efforts to make Hyderabad a hub of aerospace and defense.
- It was a historic occasion to witness the signing of the JV by the two such major companies.
- This joint venture will be of great help in attracting more companies
- Boeing setting up a shop would also bring several suppliers to the city and create employment opportunities.
- We already have several large facilities in the existing aerospace park at Adibhatla
- We are in the process of setting up three more such exclusive, aerospace and defense sector-specific parks in Nadirgul, Eliminedu and another to the North of Hyderabad. We already have 1,000 SMEs in this sector in and around Hyderabad.
- The challenge before us is to expand this SME base and upgrade the tier III suppliers to tier II and tier I.
- Three more aerospace and defense parks would come up in the city.
- An aviation academy is also proposed to be developed in collaboration with Aerocampus Aquitaine, France
The Minister assured all the support in creating the entire ecosystem for the sector and also promised that if required the state government on behalf of the companies investing in the state will take up their issues with the central government. Pratt & Whitney, a leader in aircraft engine manufacturing, is also looking to expand its base in the city and set up something in human resource and training sectors, he added