Tata to build air refuelling unit

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) Limited said on Friday that it will manufacture world-leading 5th generation air-to-air refuelling equipment for the UK defence and aerospace major Cobham at its facility in Hyderabad.

“During a rigorous sourcing and selection process, Tata Advanced Systems was able to prove world-class capabilities and the capacity to support delivery against Cobham’s requirements,” TAS said in a statement on Friday.

Cobham manufactures a range of aerial refuelling equipment, including pods integrated onto the Airbus A330 Multi-role Tanker Transport, a platform that India ordered in 2013.

The Tata Group firm would produce air-refuelling pod structures for a range of end users. The production is expected to begin next month and the first batch is expected to be ready by January 2015.

Announcing the deal, Tata arm said that this deal is further evidence of the strategic importance of India in the company’s strategy to grow its market presence and supply chain.

TAS has been one of the first aviation companies to be set up in Hyderabad in private sector.

The company has already worked on prestigious projects with Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Recently, it had announced a new partnership with RUAG Aviation for the Do 228-212 NG structures.

Though neither Tata nor Cobham put a figure on the deal, Cobham chief operating officer David Squires said that it was a multi-million pound engagement and it marks the beginning of a strategic long term arrangement with Tata Advanced Systems.