INDIA BUSINESS WORLD - February 16^th - February 29^th - 2008

TATA TIES UP WITH US HELICOPTER FIRM SIKORSKY

In yet another milestone in its entry into the defence sector, the Tatas announced a tie-up with US helicopter firm Sikorsky to manufacture chopper cabins in India. The Sikorsky Aircraft Corp signed an MoU with Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) to manufacture S-92 helicopter cabins in India. "India represents an expansive rotorcraft market with enormous potential and opportunity," Sikorsky president Jeffrey P Pino said in a statement here. The companies, however, refused to divulge details regarding the value of the deal. It said the Tata Industries believed that this manufacturing facility for S-92 chopper cabins would offer productivity gains to the US firm while bringing new manufacturing technology to India. The announcement came a day after Tata Industries and Boeing Company announced their decision to form a joint venture company that will initially have over $500 million of defence-related aerospace component work in India for export to Boeing and its global customers. Sikorsky, based in Stratford, Connecticut, is one of the world leaders in helicopter design, manufacturing and service.