DTN News: Eurocopter Forecast India Potential Demand For Helicopters
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - March 5, 2010: The European helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, announced its participation in the ongoing trials for the reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter requirements
of the Indian armed forces.
Rainer Farid, vice-president, Eurocopter, sales and customer relations, South Asia told FE, "The company is bidding for Indian military contracts worth up to $8 billion, including a deal that was cancelled in 2007. "
According to Farid the company had re-submitted a bid for a $ 600-million deal to sell India 197 Army helicopters and has fielded the AS 550 C3. It is competing against the Russian Kamov-226 and British Italian major Agusta Westland's AW 119 helicopters for the tenders.
They will undergo trials in high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir for the Indian armed forces' requirement for 197 such choppers. Talking to FE, Rainer Farid said, "The AS550 C3 is undergoing trials for the Indian Army and Air Force requirement of reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters. And we are confident that not only the Army but the Air Force will be compliant."
"Over the next few months we will also further our relationship with India by exploring opportunities for setting up joint ventures with our long time partners and establish a stronger footprint to provide end-to-end service to the country," he added.
The European company is currently in the request for information stage for EC 725, which is Eurocopter's key offering for the Indian multi-role helicopter requirements and the Panther, which is best suited for the requirements of the Indian Coast Guard, said Rainer.
The company is also hoping to supply 30 helicopters to the Indian coast guard, for which tenders would opened next year, and added it was also in the race to produce 200 helicopters jointly with the HAL. "We are also bidding for a contract to replace 40 ageing helicopters of the Indian Navy but the process is currently at an initial stage and we are expecting an RFP later this year," Farid said.
In the civil space, Eurocopter has successfully formed partnerships in both public and private sector with Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited and Indocopters. These partnerships cover the entire spectrum of helicopter activities, from manufacturing to operations, maintenance and product support.
"We are willing to do 100% technology transfer in helicopters and are already in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), and seeking more cooperation with other private companies in India," he added. With reference to both the Indian military and civil markets, the company currently holds a leading position achieved through strong partnerships. In the military space, Eurocopter has had a fruitful association with India for over four decades through two co-operation agreements with HAL, pointed out the company's executive.
According to company officials, the relationship started with a licence production enabling HAL to manufacture more than 600 helicopters of the Alouette 3 and Lama type (Cheetah/Chetak), and it has further been strengthened with company outsourcing metallic and composite work packages.
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - March 5, 2010: The European helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, announced its participation in the ongoing trials for the reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter requirements
of the Indian armed forces.
Rainer Farid, vice-president, Eurocopter, sales and customer relations, South Asia told FE, "The company is bidding for Indian military contracts worth up to $8 billion, including a deal that was cancelled in 2007. "
According to Farid the company had re-submitted a bid for a $ 600-million deal to sell India 197 Army helicopters and has fielded the AS 550 C3. It is competing against the Russian Kamov-226 and British Italian major Agusta Westland's AW 119 helicopters for the tenders.
They will undergo trials in high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir for the Indian armed forces' requirement for 197 such choppers. Talking to FE, Rainer Farid said, "The AS550 C3 is undergoing trials for the Indian Army and Air Force requirement of reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters. And we are confident that not only the Army but the Air Force will be compliant."
"Over the next few months we will also further our relationship with India by exploring opportunities for setting up joint ventures with our long time partners and establish a stronger footprint to provide end-to-end service to the country," he added.
The European company is currently in the request for information stage for EC 725, which is Eurocopter's key offering for the Indian multi-role helicopter requirements and the Panther, which is best suited for the requirements of the Indian Coast Guard, said Rainer.
The company is also hoping to supply 30 helicopters to the Indian coast guard, for which tenders would opened next year, and added it was also in the race to produce 200 helicopters jointly with the HAL. "We are also bidding for a contract to replace 40 ageing helicopters of the Indian Navy but the process is currently at an initial stage and we are expecting an RFP later this year," Farid said.
In the civil space, Eurocopter has successfully formed partnerships in both public and private sector with Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited and Indocopters. These partnerships cover the entire spectrum of helicopter activities, from manufacturing to operations, maintenance and product support.
"We are willing to do 100% technology transfer in helicopters and are already in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), and seeking more cooperation with other private companies in India," he added. With reference to both the Indian military and civil markets, the company currently holds a leading position achieved through strong partnerships. In the military space, Eurocopter has had a fruitful association with India for over four decades through two co-operation agreements with HAL, pointed out the company's executive.
According to company officials, the relationship started with a licence production enabling HAL to manufacture more than 600 helicopters of the Alouette 3 and Lama type (Cheetah/Chetak), and it has further been strengthened with company outsourcing metallic and composite work packages.
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