Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) recently rolled out the 400th fuselage for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter from its facility in Hyderabad, marking a milestone in India's efforts to be a major player in the global defence and aerospace supply chain. TBAL is a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
The fuselages manufactured in India are integrated into Apache helicopters around the world, including the US Army. They were also used for the six Apache helicopters delivered to the Indian Army in 2025.
The milestone highlights India's role in the supply chain of a combat helicopter that is operated by 19 countries.
"Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited, a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), has successfully rolled out the 400th fuselage for the AH-64E Apache, the world's most advanced and proven attack helicopter, from its 52,000 sqm state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad," the company said in a statement.
Established in 2016, TBAL has more than 750 engineers and technicians at its Hyderabad facility. The company uses advanced robotics, automation and aerospace manufacturing technologies to produce fuselage aerostructures for the Apache.
According to TBAL, the manufacturing capability demonstrates both the maturity of India's aerospace ecosystem and its integration into global defence supply chains.
The significance of the Hyderabad facility extends beyond supplying India's own Apache fleet. The fuselages produced there become part of aircraft delivered to customers internationally.
Around 1,300 Apache helicopters are currently operating across 19 countries, underlining the scale of the global fleet that the Indian manufacturing facility helps support.
The Indian Air Force itself operates 22 AH-64E Apaches.
According to Boeing, the Apache is the backbone of the US Army's attack helicopter fleet and has accumulated more than 5.3 million flight hours. More than 1.3 million of those have been flown in combat.
The company expects the Apache to continue serving the US Army and partner countries into the 2060s.
