Sikorsky Aircraft has signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining their teaming up with Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture S-92 helicopter cabins in India. Tata Advanced Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Industries focused on providing integrated solutions for defense and aerospace. It is part of the Tata Group, one of India's oldest and largest conglomerates with businesses spread over seven sectors and comprised of 98 companies operating on six continents.

"India represents an expansive rotorcraft market with enormous potential and opportunity," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey P. Pino. "While we are only in the most preliminary of stages, I am most excited at the possibility of working with the well known and admired Tata Group, and tapping into India's skilled aerospace industry and capability."

"We believe that this manufacturing facility for the S-92 helicopter cabin will offer productivity gains to Sikorsky while bringing new manufacturing technology to India. It is an important part of our larger strategy for this sector," according to a Tata Industries statement.

Tata Group is currently displaying an S-92 cabin in the Tata Pavilion at the Defexpo 2008 show in New Delphi. The Tata Group is one of India's largest and most respected business conglomerates, with revenues in 2006-07 of $28.8 billion, the equivalent of about 3.2 percent of the country's GDP, and a market capitalization of $72.8 billion as of January 10, 2008. Tata companies together employ more than 300,000 people.

FMI: www.sikorsky.com