Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a Joint Venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited(TASL) and American aircraft manufacturer, Boeing Company, delivered the first fuselage for the Indian Army’s contract for six AH-64E Apache Combat helicopters.
- The fuselage, which is the primary body of an aircraft, was officially handed over to Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Suri, Director General and Colonel Commandant of Army Aviation.
- The fuselage is dispatched by TBAL to Arizona in the United States of America (USA) for final assembly. The first Apache is scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Army in February 2024.
The fuselage was built at the state-of-the-art TBAL facility in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Backdrop
i.The Cabinet Committee on Security had already approved the procurement of 39 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the US.
ii.Following this, the Indian Air Force (IAF) procured 22 Apache AH-64E helicopters from The Boeing Company (US) in 2020, with a deal signed in September 2015.
iii.The Government of India (GoI) has also decided that any future Apache purchases would go to the Indian Army.
- Accordingly, GoI inked a contract in February 2020 for six new Apache helicopters for the Indian Army at a cost of around USD 800 million.
Key Points:
i.All six AH-64 Apache Combat Helicopters are set to be delivered by April 2024.
- The Apache will significantly increase the capability of the Indian Army.
ii.In preparation for their induction, four Army Aviation pilots and seven technicians have begun training in the US in December 2022.
iii.Boeing has delivered 4 advanced aircraft to India: The C-17 Globemaster III, the P-8I Poseidon multirole maritime mission aircraft, and the Chinook and Apache helicopters.
AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters
i.The Apache attack helicopter is regarded as the world’s most advanced and deadliest attack helicopter, with over 1,275 AH-64 Apaches in operation worldwide.
ii.Globally, these helicopters have completed over 4.9 million flight hours, 1.3 million of which have been in combat.
iii.The helicopter can deliver a variety of weapons, including air-to-ground Hellfire missiles.
Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL)
i.The facility is designed to serve as a single global source for fuselages for Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopters, which are supplied to the US Army and other global customers.
ii.The facility manufactures vertical spare boxes and secondary structures for this multi-role combat helicopter.
- It also manufactures complex aero structures for the Boeing 737 and 777.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)
i.TASL is a leading private player in aerospace and defence solutions in India.
ii.It is a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Sons and the strategic aerospace and defence division of the TATA Group.
- TASL functions as both an operational and a holding company.
MD & CEO – Sukaran Singh
Founded – 2007
Note: Tata Group was recently awarded the “Supplier of the Year” award 2022 from Boeing.
Recent Related News:
i.In November 2022, the Director General of Indian Coast Guard(ICG), VS Pathania, commissioned 840 Squadron (840 Sqn (CG)), an ICG Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk-III squadron, at ICG Air Station, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
ii.ALH Mk-III helicopters are indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
