Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) has delivered the 250th fuselage for the AH-64 #Apache attack helicopter from its state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad.
These fuselages are manufactured for customers around the world, including the US Army. And will be used for the six in order for the Indian Army.
It has been reported previously that the joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has generated employment for over 900 technicians and engineers, leveraging cutting-edge robotics, automation, and advanced aerospace concepts in its manufacturing processes.
TBAL’s 14,000 sqm facility serves as a global sole source supplier for Apache fuselages, and over 90 percent of the parts used in the Apache aerostructure assemblies manufactured in India through more than 100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) suppliers.
Financial Express Online has reported earlier this year, the US based Boeing Company has officially kickstarted the production process for the Apaches designated for the Indian Army, from its facility in Mesa, Arizona. The slated delivery involves six AH-64E Apaches tailored to the precise specifications outlined by the Indian Army.
In August, Boeing India’s President, Salil Gupte, emphasized, “The integration of advanced technology into the AH-64, coupled with its well-established track record of excellence, is positioned to enhance the operational preparedness of the Indian Army, substantially reinforcing its overall capabilities.”
Reflecting on 2020, Boeing not only completed the delivery of 22 E-model Apaches to the Indian Air Force (IAF) but also secured a contract to exclusively manufacture an additional six AH-64Es for the Indian Army. The projected delivery timeline for these Apaches is scheduled throughout 2024.
Christina Upah, Vice President of Attack Helicopter Programs and Senior Boeing Mesa Site Executive, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The AH-64E remains unequivocally the world’s premier attack helicopter, renowned for its exceptional offensive capabilities and notable survival attributes. We are excited to extend these remarkable capabilities to empower the Indian Army.”
In a prior conversation with Financial Express Online in 2020, Michael M. Koch, the then Vice President for India, Defence, Space & Security, disclosed plans for a substantial portion of supplementary components, including the crucial fuselage, to be manufactured indigenously in India. Koch underscored the extensive involvement of over 200 Indian enterprises in the Apache Helicopter’s production, emphasizing the progressive expansion of indigenous participation in crafting diverse constituents for the Apache. This transition from 160 to over 200 contributing Indian companies signifies a noteworthy evolution in indigenous collaboration within the Apache manufacturing process.