Indo-French aircraft deal may benefit TAAL, says company CEO

The company is associated with the DRDO's unmanned combat vehicle project Rustom 2

Taneja Aerospace Aviation Ltd (TAAL) expects to benefit if India and France strike the proposed deal to bring in Dassault Rafale aircraft to the country, as the company has been successfully evaluated by the aircraft manufacturer, a senior management official of TAAL said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference on defence manufacturing technologies, organised by the Tamil Nadu Technology Development & Promotion Centre of CII, Sudhir Kumar, CEO, TAAL said, "If the French aircraft Dassault Rafale comes we are likely to get some business because Dassault Aviation may give some work. They have already evaluated us and they have finding that we can work for them."

 

According to reports, both the countries are in talks for a proposed $8.9 billion contract for purchase of fourth-generation Dassault Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.

At present, TAAL is indirectly handling some works for Rafale, through an Israel-based armament company, under which it supplies certain structural assemblies and pressurised containers to the company in Israel.

TAAL, started with manufacturing of aircraft and the structural assemblies for Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) for its space launch vehicles, also works projects for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

It is also associated with Rustom-2, an unmanned combat air vehicle developed by DRDO, which is likely to fly shortly. It has been working in two Base Repair Depots (BRDs) of Indian Air Force, where the overhauling of aircraft takes place. Currently, it is working in two such Depots -- in Kanpur and Nasik.

Last year, the company posted a turnover of around Rs 56-57 crore. He said that the company see opportunity in offset activities by overseas firms in India and continuously engage with the foreign players for such activities.