By Staff Correspondent
Airbus has signed a contract with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to manufacture cargo and bulk cargo doors for the A320neo aircraft family. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering Airbus’ competitiveness in the single-aisle aircraft market and supporting the ramp-up of the A320 programme.
TASL will manufacture these doors utilising state-of-the-art robotics and automation technology at a new facility in Hyderabad. Each shipset will consist of two cargo doors and one bulk cargo door. The signing ceremony was held at Hyderabad on March 29, 2023, and the agreement was inked by Olivier Cauquil, SVP Aerostructure Procurement, Airbus, and Masood Hussainy, VP & HO Aerostructure & Aero-Engines, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd.
Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia, stated that “the latest contract underlines our continued commitment to ‘Make-in-India’ for an AatmaNirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).” He further added that Airbus intends to expand its industrial footprint in India and foster the aviation and aerospace ecosystem at a rapid pace.
Sukaran Singh, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer of Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. expressed his excitement on winning this contract, stating that “we have an ongoing relationship with Airbus based on trust and operational excellence, and this new contract win will further bolster our partnership in aerospace manufacturing in India.”
Airbus currently procures components and services worth $735 million annually from over 100 Indian suppliers. Furthermore, all Airbus commercial aircraft and helicopters utilise critical technologies and systems designed, manufactured, and maintained in India.
In addition to this contract, Airbus plans to partner with TASL in Gujarat to establish the C295 military aircraft Final Assembly Line (FAL). This is the first large-scale Make-in-India manufacturing aerospace program in the private sector and will unlock potential for cutting-edge design, component manufacturing, aircraft assembly, and services capabilities across the value chain, fully addressing the Government of India’s ambition of an ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ in defense manufacturing.
With the support of its supply chain, Airbus currently sustains approximately 10,000 jobs in India. By 2025, this figure is projected to rise to about 15,000. Furthermore, the C295 military aircraft program will generate 25,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next ten years.
