Tata, Sikorsky JV to make aerospace components

Tata group company Tata Advanced Systems has formed a joint venture with US-based Sikorsky Aircraft to make aerospace components in India.

Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. The joint venture follows the long-term contract signed in June 2009 between the two companies to assemble Sikorsky S-92 helicopter cabins.

Components for the cabins of United Technologies' S-92 helicopters will be among those made by the joint venture, the companies said in a statement today.

"This is part of our strategy to participate meaningfully in this space, and to enhance India's capacities in this sector," Tata Advanced Systems CEO Gen Davinder Kumar said.

Both the joint venture agreement and the cabin assembly contract stem from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2007 by the companies to explore the creation of aerospace operations in India.

Tata Advanced Systems is constructing its facility in Hyderabad, where the helicopter cabins will be assembled from 2010. The new facility for the components is expected to come up near this facility in 2011. This would also make components for other aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the production will start in 2012.

"Sikorsky's affiliation with Tata both strengthens our supply chain and extends our globalisation effort to establish significant operations in regions where the need for rotorcraft and support is great," Sikorsky Senior Vice-President (Operations) Mick Maurer said.