RUAG Aviation has entered into a partnership with Tata Advanced Systems for the manufacture of fuselages and wings for the Dornier 228-212 NG, which is marketed as an Advanced Commuter (AC) or Multi Role (MR) aircraft by its OEM, RUAG Aviation.

Under this agreement, TATA Advanced Systems will provide RUAG Aviation with fully assembled fuselage and wing structures out of their Hyderabad Facilities in India. Tata Advanced Systems will undertake the complete scope of part manufacturing and assembly required, including managing the entire range of engineering and complex tooling and jigs development.

Owners and operators of the Dornier 228 across the globe will benefit from this enhancement in RUAG Aviation's supply chain. As a leader in the aerostructures industry in India, Tata Advanced Systems has been successfully audited by the FAA and possesses certifications including AS9100, NADCAP and ISO 14000. Tata Advances Systems has been recognised for its outstanding product quality by the American Helicopter Society, the premier organisation for Vertical Flight, and has been awarded their prestigious International Fellowship Award. The company employs modern tools including Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing, and has a successfully undertaken complex global transition programmes for Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.

The official ground breaking ceremony took place in Hyderabad, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Telangana, senior Government officials as well as senior leaders from RUAG Aviation and the Tata Group.

RUAG Aviation's Vice President of Supply Chain Management Martin Bühlmann cited Tata's strong track record in similar programmes as a primary factor in their choice of partner. “Their ambition to become among the world's leading manufacturers in the aviation sector gives us confidence that our partnership will be a successful and mutually beneficial one. Tata is a company that has proven itself time and again in diverse industries.”

This positive conviction is shared by S. Ramadorai, Chairman of Tata Advanced Systems. “The Tata-RUAG partnership is a glowing example of cooperation between India and Europe, with Tata being entrusted with manufacturing aircraft components to Swiss standards of precision and quality.”

A proven third-generation platform, the Dornier 228-212 NG is marketed as an Advanced Commuter (AC) or Multi Role (MR) aircraft. It is highly robust and versatile, and can be configured for cargo transport, passenger flights as well as special missions. The Dornier 228 can be seen in the static display of the Farnborough International Airshow 2014.