Tatas keen to work with RUAG for building full aircraft

Hyderabad, June 23 (IANS) Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) is keen to work with RUAG, an international group for aerospace and defence, to build a full-fledged aircraft, said TASL chairman S. Ramadorai on Monday.

"Our vision is to work with RUAG in having a full aircraft equipped with systems flying out from Tatas’ final assembly. This will be of significant importance to the Indian armed forces in their desire to produce products locally for global impact," he said at the ground breaking ceremony of a new project of TASL to manufacture fuselage and wing for the Dornier 228 aircraft.

This is the fourth aerostructure project of TASL at aerospace Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Adibatla on the outskirts of Hyderabad and it has taken the company closer to its vision of building a complete aircraft.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao laid the foundation stone for the project at a ceremony held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC).

Martin Buhlmann, vice president, supply chain management, RUAG Aviation, was also present.

A Swiss technology and defence company, RUAG has its headquarters in Bern.

"It is our belief that this project is a significant step forward in India’s growth as high-technology precision manufacturing destination. This project has great significance for Telangana and for Hyderabad," said Ramadorai.

He said the project has reinforced Hyderabad’s position on global aerospace map. He described Tata-RUAG partnership as a living example of cooperation between India and Europe.

"It also demonstrates the success of Tatas in developing a highly skilled and motivated work force for manufacturing, which is ready to undertake high technology work for global customers," he added.

The TASL chairman claimed that in a short span of five years TASL has become a significant player in global aerospace market.

The firm has already delivered over 70 cabins for Sikorsky S92 helicopters. Under a joint venture with Sikorsky, TASL indigenised production of the entire cabin.

TASL also has a joint venture with Lockheed Martin to manufacture the empennage and centre wing box for the C-130 J aircraft.