Tata Advanced Systems

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is an Indian aerospace, military engineering and defense technology company. It is a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, a holding company for the Tata Group.[4]

History

TASL entered into a joint venture with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to manufacture the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter in India for the domestic civil and military markets. The plan was to have a US$200 million manufacturing plant operational in Hyderabad by 2010.[5][6] As production began, the first S-92 cabin was delivered in November 2010,[7] and capacity was expected to increase to 36–48 cabins a year.[8] By the end of July 2013, 39 cabins had been assembled.

The joint venture with Sikorsky has since been expanded to include the development of aerospace components for other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This facility, called Tara, also located in Hyderabad, was completed in 2011 and commenced production in 2012.[9] Another TASL joint-venture, with Lockheed Martin, is producing aero structures for the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules in India. It is a 74:26 joint venture which currently assembles Hercules centre wing boxes and empennages.[10] TASL will also establish a MRO facility in India of the C-130J.[11] TASL's joint venture with Lockheed Martin is named Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures.[12]

In partnership with Airbus Defence and Space, the company fielded the EADS CASA C-295 medium–lift tactical transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force's light-cargo fleet renewal program, which the Indian government approved on 13 May 2015. Under the agreement, Tata Advanced Systems has been selected as the Indian Production Agency (IPA) by Airbus DS.[13] Under the project, 16 complete aircraft will be imported, while 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India.[14] The Final Assembly Line (FAL) complex was inaugurated in October 2024. The first ‘Make in India’ C295 will roll out of the Vadodara FAL in September 2026.[15][16] The company has also entered an agreement to produce structures for the Pilatus PC-12NG from 2016 to 2026.[17]

The aerospace and military division of Tata Motors was sold to Tata Advanced Systems on May 3, 2018.[18] Lockheed Martin declared in September 2018 that, in partnership with TASL, it would manufacture wings for the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.[19] Inaugurated in 2018, the Hyderabad facility of Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems, will serve as the exclusive global manufacturer of fuselages for AH-64 Apache helicopters supplied by Boeing to its clientele worldwide.[20][21] On 10 February 2025, TBAL delivered the 300th fuselage for the AH-64 Apache from its facility in Hyderabad.[22]

In 2018, TASL established the Tata Centre of Excellence for Aero Engines to manufacture LEAP engine components in India for CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. Tata Power SED was purchased by Tata Advanced Systems from Tata Power in 2020.[23]

In early 2021, it was reported that Tata Advanced Systems of India had likely bought the intellectual property rights of the Grob G180 SPn aircraft for the development of a military variant to be offered to the Indian army as a signals intelligence gathering and surveillance platform.[24] In February 2021, Lockheed Martin announced that they are teaming with Tata Advanced Systems for meeting the Indian Navy's proposed requirement for Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH).[25] In September 2021 India has signed deal of buying C-295 Cargo aircraft and that will be made by Tata Advanced System.[26] In 2022, TASL and GE Aerospace extended their long-term contract for the production and supply of various commercial aircraft engine components, which are to be manufactured at the Tata Centre of Excellence for Aero Engines.[27]

On 29 March 2023, TASL was awarded a contract from Airbus to supply cargo and bulk cargo doors for the A320neo family. They will be manufactured at a new facility in Hyderabad, which will deploy advanced robotics and automation for the task. Each shipset would include two cargo doors and one bulk cargo door.[28]

In 2024, Tata Advanced Systems announced that the company and Lockheed Martin are looking at further opportunities in India. This includes establishing a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the IAF's fleet of 12 C-130Js and other global Super Hercules fleets.[29] It also includes expanding the C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to produce aircraft for the IAF's Medium Transport Aircraft program, which subject to U.S. government and Indian government approvals.[29]

Following an armored vehicle contract from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in 2024, Tata Advanced Systems will establish a plant in Casablanca. The first WhAPs are expected to be rolled out in 18 months, with the intention of catering to the broader African market. The production facility, which will be operational within a year, will be able to produce 100 combat vehicles yearly.[30] In December 2024, TASL doubled the company's landholding in Nagpur’s MIHAN SEZ to 60 acres for expanding its aerospace manufacturing operations. TASL's existing Nagpur facility manufactures aircraft floor beams for both Boeing and Airbus at the same facility.[31]

In April 2025, the company acquired land in Karnataka's Vemgal Industrial Area for setting up a final assembly line for aircraft manufacturing and MRO.[32] Four production transfer agreements were signed on 5 June 2025, between Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in Hyderabad. This includes the front section, the central fuselage, the rear fuselage, and the lateral shells of the rear fuselage for India and other international markets.[33]

Major programs

• License production of the C-295 in a JV with Airbus Defence and Space.
• Design, development and production of the TATA Kestrel for Indian Army.
• Upgradation and modernization of 37 airfields across Air Force Stations, Naval Stations, and Coast Guard Civil Enclaves.
• Production and maintenance of the Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket launchers, command posts and other support vehicles for Indian Army.[34]
• Production and Maintenance of the Akash SAM launchers, command posts and other support vehicles for IAF.
• Production and maintenance of the MRSAM launchers, command posts and other support vehicles for IAF.
• Production and maintenance of the control systems for the Arihant-class submarine.
• Production and development of the

Products and services

Aerospace ventures

External links