Tatas, Israel Aerospace tie up for missiles, drones

Tata Advanced Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s largest defence and aerospace company, today agreed to establish a joint venture to make missiles, pilotless drones, electronic warfare systems and other defence equipment.

Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata Sons, and and Itzhak Nissan, president and chief executive officer of state-owned IAI, today signed a memorandum of understanding forming the joint venture, on the sidelines of the DefExpo 2008 in New Delhi. The JV will also help other Indian companies to develop technology as suppliers to IAI.

“We believe that the coming together of Tatas and IAI will positively impact the growth of the defence industry in India and complement the efforts of our Defence labs, Ordnance factory board and defence public sector undertakings,” Ratan Tata said.

“The new IAI-TATA JV reflects our commitment to deepen our relations with Indian industry,” said Itzhak Nissan.

“Together, we will be able to offer a wide range of defence products and to boost the capabilities of local Indian defence industries.”

This joint venture is the fourth major defence deal within a week for Tata Advanced Systems, the wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Industries which is focused on defence and aerospace solutions.

On Saturday, the company announced a tie-up with European Defence and Aerospace Consortium to bid for the $1 billion advanced tactical communications system project of the Indian Army.

On Friday, the company teamed up with US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to make cabins for Sikorsky’s S-92 helicopters and announced a joint venture with Boeing for defence-related aerospace components work in India. Source - Business Standard

Tatas to make helicopter cabins for Sikorsky

In yet another milestone in its defence sector entry, the Tatas today announced a tie-up with helicopter maker Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to manufacture chopper cabins in India.

US-based Sikorsky, a helicopter design, manufacturing and services company, signed a memorandum of understanding with Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) for the former’s first dedicated civil and rescue helicopter in India, the S-92. The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

TAS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Industries, provides integrated solutions for the defence and aerospace sectors. The manufacturing facility for the S-92 helicopter cabins, according to TAS, will offer productivity gains to Sikorsky while bringing new technology to India. “This initiative forms an important part of the larger strategy for this sector,” TAS said. “India represents an expansive rotorcraft market with enormous potential and opportunity,” Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino said in a statement. Sikorsky has been involved in manufacturing advanced military helicopters since 1943. Its products include the battle proven Black Hawk and Naval Hawk models of helicopters. The announcement comes a day after Tata Industries and Boeing Company announced their decision to form a joint venture company that will initially have over $500 million of defence-related aerospace component work in India for export to Boeing and its global customers.

The revenues from the defence sector for the Tata group have doubled since 2004 and it has set itself a target of more than Rs 2,200 crore by 2008.

Source - Business Standard

Tatas to make Boeing 787 parts

Tatas opened a new chapter in its phenomenal growth story by announcing a fresh foray into aircraft component manufacturing from the proposed TAL Manufacturing Solutions Ltd (TALSML) plant it is setting up in Mihan SEZ. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, TALMSL will build floor beams for the Boeing's 787 Dreamliner at its Nagpur facility using new technology with advanced titanium and composite materials.

Source - TOI