DUBAI—U.S. aerospace group Boeing and India’s Tata Advanced Systems announced Monday they are joining up to make airframe parts for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
After initially building a manufacturing center in India for the Apache, they will expand the partnership to compete for further work on Boeing commercial and defense platforms, they said in a statement released during the Dubai Air Show.
The firms gave no financial details.
“This partnership will capitalize on India’s industrial capability, innovation and talent to contribute to Boeing’s long-term competitiveness and position us for future growth in the global marketplace,” said Chris Chadwick, chief executive of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
“It is a demonstration of our commitment to further accelerate our partnership with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.”
India’s Jet Airways confirms order for 75 Boeing 737 planes
DUBAI—India’s Jet Airways confirmed on Monday an order for 75 Boeing 737 planes previously listed on the U.S. manufacturer’s book as for an undisclosed client.
It was the first big announcement at the Dubai Air show, which opened Sunday amid low expectations for major sales.
“The order, previously attributed to an unidentified customer, includes conversions of 25 Next-Generation 737s to 737 MAX 8s, as well as options and purchase rights for an additional 50 aircraft,” Boeing said in a statement released at a joint press conference at the Dubai Airshow.
“The announcement marks the largest order in Jet Airways’ history and supports the airline’s replacement strategy,” the statement said.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane costs $110 million at list price.
The carrier, partly owned by Etihad Airways, has a fleet of 115 aircraft.
“This order is an endorsement of our confidence in the long-term prospects of the Indian aviation sector, which reflects the positive forecast for the country’s economy, and offers tremendous potential for growth and development,” said Natesh Goyal, chairman of Jet Airways.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Ray Conner said “the 737 MAX will bring new standards for fuel efficiency and economics, and a premium passenger experience to Jet Airways.”
The plane being developed by the U.S. manufacturer is touted as being more cost effective than its competitors.
UAE buys Saab Surveillance Planes in $1.27 Billion Deal
DUBAI—The United Arab Emirates Air Force announced Monday a $1.27-billion deal with Swedish defense giant Saab to purchase two surveillance planes and upgrade two others.
The two new aircraft are Global 6000 surveillance planes, while the old planes to be upgraded are part of the UAE’s fleet of Saab 340s, said Major General Abdullah al-Hashimi at a joint press conference at the Dubai Airshow.
The date of delivery has not been finalized, but could be within two years, he said.
The purchase “supports surveillance capabilities” of the Gulf nation’s Air Force, he said.
The UAE has been part of the U.S.-led coalition bombing militants of the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
It has also played a key role in the Saudi-led coalition that launched a military campaign in March against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.
Emirates signs $16 Billion Maintenance Contract with GE
DUBAI—Dubai-based carrier Emirates announced Monday at the city state’s air show it has signed a $16-billion maintenance contract with GE Aviation of the United States for its fleet of 150 Boeing 777s.
The contract covers “the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the GE9X engines that will power the airline’s fleet... over a period of 12 years,” it said in a statement, adding that it was Emirates’ largest contract of its kind.
Emirates in 2013 signed a $76-billion contract for the 150 Boeing 777X twin-engine aircraft, powered by GE’s new GE9X engine, in what was the single largest order by value in the history of U.S. commercial aviation.
The airline said Monday it has also signed a second, 12-year contract with GE Aviation worth $36-million for maintenance and inventory support for various avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems on all its Boeing 777s in service and the 44 more on order.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2015
