Boeing to relocate 737 fin production to India

On 5 February, a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems (TAS), Tata Boeing Aerospace, said it would start a new production line, marking a major step towards the joint venture’s expansion in India.

Tata Boeing would manufacture complex vertical fin structures for Boeing 737 aircraft family in Telangana, India. The new production line would utilize cutting-edge robotics and automation in manufacturing the complex vertical fins for Boeing 737s.

“This is a noteworthy step in the growth of India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing,” said K T Rama Rao, Telangana Municipal Administration and Industries Minister. “Telangana is an established hotbed for India’s defence and aerospace industry supported by a robust ecosystem, including a large pool of skilled and industry-ready work-force.”

In a joint press release statement, TAS Chief Executive Officer Sukaran Singh said that the vertical fin production move to India would create new employment opportunities in aircraft technology manufacturing, as well as it would be a step towards making India self-reliant in defence manufacturing.

“This new production line for complex vertical fin structures is another testament for TAS’s commitment towards making India self-reliant in defence manufacturing,” Singh said.

Tata Boeing facility in Telangana is spread over 14, 000 square meters and currently manufactures aero-structures for Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopter, including fuselages, secondary structures, and vertical spar boxes.