The foundation stone for the joint venture between Boeingand Tata Advanced Systems to co-produce Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselages and other aerostructures, as well as to pursue integrated systems in aerospace was laid by India’s Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar on 18 June 2016 at Hyderabad. This facility will eventually be the sole producer of AH-64 fuselages globally.The Apache has been flown or selected for acquisition by the United States and 15 other nations, including India. Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister said “The joint venture between Tata and Boeing is a significant step in developing India’s capabilities for aerospace & defence manufacturing and becoming a global exporter. This is a clear example of the significant progress made towards “Make in India for defence,” The Vice President of Boeing, Mr. Dave Koopersmith called the event “the next step in Boeing and TASL’s journey to develop key technologies and capabilities.”Sukaran Singh, MD & CEO, Tata Advanced Systems, and Board Member of TBAL stated, “We are proud to partner with Boeing to manufacture complex aerospace aerostructures parts out of India”.
CATHERINE THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS
Thales has signed a new contract to provide CATHERINE thermal imaging cameras to India. As part of this contract, Thales is doing a transfer of production to integrate 260 compact LWIR thermal imaging (TI) CATHERINE into BELTECH’s TI Sights that will be installed on the T90 battle tanks of Indian Army. The CATHERINE family is the most complete range of cameras available on the world market for target acquisition and weapon engagements by land vehicles. Thermal imagers allow gunners, commanders and land recce observers to see by night and by day in adverse conditions. More than 7000 CATHERINE cameras are in service on-board 30 types of fighting vehicles globally.The CATHERINE thermal imager is already in service with the Indian Army. The transfer of production of CATHERINE contributes to the “Make in India” policy of the Indian government.
