Hyderabad, Mar 1 (IANS): Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited, a joint venture of Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems on Thursday inaugurated its facility here to co-produce the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselage and other aerostructures.

Spread over 14,000 square meters and employing 350 highly skilled workers, the facility will be the sole producer of the AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselage delivered by Boeing to its customers, including the US Army.

The delivery of the first fuselage is expected later this year.

The facility, inaugurated by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will also produce secondary structures and vertical spar boxes of the multi-role combat helicopter.

The Apache has been flown or selected for acquisition by the US and 15 other nations, including India.

US Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster, Tata Emeritus Chairman Ratan Tata, Boeing Executive Vice President Leanne Caret, Telangana Minister for Industry K.T.A. Rama Rao and officials of the Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and Boeing attended the event.

In November 2015, Boeing and Tata had announced a joint venture for manufacturing aerostructures and collaboration on integrated systems development opportunities in India.

The foundation for the facility was laid in 2016.