Groundbreaking of Tatas'' 3 aerospace projects held in Hy''bad

Hyderabad, Feb 14 (PTI) The Tata Group, which had earliersaid that it would make Hyderabad its aerospace business hub,today conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for three newaerospace manufacturing facilities here.

The three projects are for Tata Lockheed MartinAerostructure, a JV between Tata Advanced Systems and LockheedMartin, Tara Aerospace Systems, a JV between Tata AdvancedSystems and Sikorsky Aircraft, and Nova Integrated Systems, aTata enterprise.

The three projects mark a significant step forward inIndia''s growth as a high technology, precision, manufacturingdestination, Tata Advanced Systems chairman S Ramadorai saidon the occasion.

Lockheed Martin''s vice president (business development)Orville Prins said the tie up with Tatas will become thefoundation for a long and beneficial partnership between thetwo companies, creating additional jobs both in India and theUnited States.

The new Tata Lockheed Martin Aero structures facility isexport oriented, and the products manufactured will form a keyaircraft structure that Lockheed Martin will integrate andcomplete for its global C-130 aircraft customers.

AJS Walia, Managing Director, Sikorsky India said thegroundbreaking represents the next phase of the Tata-Sikorskyrelationship and the great benefits it will bring to localindustry, the government and the region.

"As we complete all final details of our joint venture,we share Tata''s excitement at announcing this milestone and welook forward with great anticipation at the future benefitsour collaboration will bring," Walia said. (More) PTI GDKVKV

Tara Aerospace Systems will manufacture aerospace components for Sikorsky in India, including components forS-92 helicopter cabins.

Tara builds upon the existing Tata Advanced Systemsfacility at the aerospace and precision engineering SEZ, whichassembles Sikorsky S-92 helicopter cabins.

Nova Integrated Systems will set up an integratedaerospace complex to undertake high end precision electronicsmanufacturing, assembly and integration of airborne vehicles.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy andstate Minister for Major Industries J Geetha Reddy were alsopresent during the groundbreaking ceremony.