Fokker Technologies, Aequs tie-up to make parts for Boeing helicopter

Agreement signed at Boeing India Supplier Conference in Hyderabad. Aequs was selected after a "careful process of qualification proving the ability and affordability through trial production."

Fokker Technologies, a division of GKN Aerospace and Aequs of India on Thursday signed a LTA (long term agreement) for the supply of machined components for Boeing’s Chinook helicopter.

Under the agreement, signed at the Boeing India Supplier Conference in Hyderabad, Aequs will supply machined detail parts made in India for the heavy lift helicopter. On its part, Fokker Technologies will build the parts into final sub-assemblies in facilities in Papendrecht, The Netherlands.

A statement on the agreement said Aequs was selected after a "careful process of qualification proving the ability and affordability through trial production."

Boeing India president Pratyush Kumar said that the company was rapidly expanding its supplier footprint in the country to reinforce commitment to ‘Make in India’. "We have doubled our sourcing from India in the last 12 months,” he added.

The agreement was significant because it "capitalises on India’s industrial capability, innovation and talent to contribute to the country’s long-term competitiveness as a global aerospace leader.”

The Fokker Technologies, in 2014, began selecting its first parts suppliers in India and trial production began, leading to the successful first article inspection in mid-2015 and the signing of the first “Make in India” parts production LTA with Aequs on Thursday. The Fokker Technologies and the Boeing work together to identify and award work packages.

Edwin Boom, Business Line Director of the Fokker Aerostructures for Boeing Defence Programmes, said: "This partnership creates further value by its affordable cost structure and provides us with the flexibility and capacity necessary to further strengthen our position in the market."

The Boeing last month signed an agreement with the Tata Advanced Systems to create a joint venture manufacture Apache fuselages near Hyderabad.

The Aequs, whose customers include industry leaders such as Airbus, UTAS, Bosch, Eaton, Baker Hughes and Halliburton, operates manufacturing facilities in India, the U.S. and Europe. "The significant facilities are located in the Aequs SEZ, Belagavi," the release said.