Swiss Pilatus, Tata group sign deal for aircraft assembly

Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus today said it has signed a contract with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for assembling PC-12 planes at the latter's facility in Hyderabad.
"The ten-year contract between Pilatus and TASL provides for delivery of the first complete PC-12 NG aero structure during the second half of 2016," the company said in a statement here.
The project includes tooling, jigs and training of TASL's personnel at Pilatus facilities in Switzerland.
The training will enable TASL to supply PC-12 NG aero structures for the Pilatus global supply chain.
It said TASL has replaced an existing Pilatus supplier who was formerly responsible for producing PC-12 aero structures in Eastern Europe.

"We are delighted to enter into a relationship with TASL, which is known for its high quality aero structure assembly capability, proven to many prestigious international aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)," Markus Bucher, CEO of the Pilatus Aircraft Ltd said.

He said, "Tata is without doubt a partner of choice for Pilatus in the continued expansion of its portfolio of international subcontractors".
"The partnership is also important in the context of Pilatus' offset obligation resulting from the sale of the PC-7 MkII Training Aircraft System to the Indian Air Force", Bucher said.
The IAF has already procured Pilatus PC-7 basic trainer aircraft for imparting flying skills to its rookie pilots and has based them in the Air Force Academy in Dindigul in Andhra Pradesh.