The Tata Group and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) , today completed an agreement for Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to manufacture Sikorsky S-92(R) helicopter cabins in India.

The first cabin is scheduled for delivery in late 2010 from a new greenfield facility that TASL will construct at Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Tata Advanced Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons and is a lead company for providing integrated solutions for aerospace, defence, homeland security and disaster management.

"We're excited and proud to have the highly admired Tata Group join our global supply chain," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey P. Pino. "India's aerospace market is poised for significant growth, and we are thrilled to have the opportunities to support that growth and to tap into the capabilities of India's highly skilled aerospace workforce."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, said, "We are pleased to enter into a long-term supply relationship with Sikorsky and believe that the manufacture of the S-92 cabin in India is a significant first step in the growth of India as a global hub for aerospace manufacturing. The Tata Group greatly values its association with the UTC Group of companies and looks forward to further strengthening the same in the future."

The S-92 helicopter is the first helicopter in its class certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to the most rigorous standards. The aircraft also is certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency to its stringent safety standards. Nearly 100 S-92 helicopters have been produced to date, and the worldwide operating fleet has accumulated more than 150,000 flight hours. The aircraft perform a variety of missions including search and rescue off the U.K. coast, and Head of State transport for the leaders of several nations. The S-92 helicopter also has become the helicopter of choice for transporting oil workers to offshore platforms.

The agreement signed today strengthens the link between UTC and the Tata Group, two of the world's largest and most respected diversified industrial enterprises. UTC reported 2008 revenues of $58.7 billion, and Tata Group had 2007-2008 revenues of $62.5 billion. Both companies derive the majority of their revenues from outside their native countries, and both employ hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

While the agreement marks the first for the manufacture of Sikorsky products in India, UTC's other subsidiaries have a significant presence there. Combined, UTC's Hamilton Sundstrand aerospace systems, Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, Otis Elevator, Carrier air conditioning and UTC Fire & Security units today occupy more than 100 offices and factories in nearly 50 cities, and employ approximately 4,000 people in India.

"India represents a strategic growth opportunity for UTC due to its favorable demographics and accelerating modernization," said Jothi Purushotaman, President, UTC India, who attended the signing ceremony. "We are pleased to be associated with the Tata Group, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."

"The signing of the contract represents a significant step forward in Tata Advanced Systems' plans to establish a meaningful presence in the manufacture of aerostructures," said Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Davinder Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, TASL. "We believe the combination of Tata's manufacturing capabilities and skill sets, and India's productivity benefits can deliver tremendous efficiencies for aerospace OEMs."