|
In Take-off Mode
Eurocopter is upbeat about its association with India
|
Marseille (France): There is lot of excitement regarding India at the Eurocopter plant located in this scenic sleepy town in Southern France. In a day long briefings and visits to civil and military manufacturing hangers, the officials essentially made three points: Eurocopter is both the global leader in helicopter manufacturing business, and has a long unmatched association with Indian aviation; it is certainly disappointed about the unfulfilled 197 Light Observation Helicopters (LOH) order that was tipped in its favour; however, they are fully prepared and optimistically inclined to meet the demands of the Indian defence forces. The reference obviously is to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Request for Proposal (RFP) for 22 attack helicopters issued on May 23, whose bids are to be submitted by August 28. There are also the 384 LOH requirements for the Indian Army (IA) and the IAF whose RFP is expected to be released soon. In addition, the Indian Navy (IN) is looking for 16 helicopters for its Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) roles. Not to be left behind, the Indian Coast Guard and the growing commercial aviation sector are scouting for rotary requirements as well.
Speaking to FORCE on the sidelines of ILA-2008, senior vice-president, sales and customer relations, Norbert Ducrot said that, “We are fully ready for the LOH RFP, the trials of which are expected to begin by the end of the year. Of course, unlike the last time, this time we will send the military version helicopter to India for trials. Besides our helicopter that will meet all requirements of the IA and IAF, we bring three additional strengths: we have the unmatched capability to produce 300 helicopters per year, we are ready for complete transfer of technology, and we are geared for co-development and co-production of helicopters in India.” These positive assertions set the stage for the visit to the Eurocopter plant for FORCE to physically observe what had been said.
The visit commenced with two interesting briefings speaking of the future and the past. The general manager, Eurocopter India, Bruno Boulnois made the first presentation with some interesting facts. With 469 helicopters (including 402 Cheetah and Chetak) in the inventory of Indian armed forces, the Eurocopter Group already has 51 per cent share of the market; Fennec AS 350, which was offered to India is the only helicopter to have landed at Mount Everest at an altitude of 12,400metres; and every 30 minutes a Eurocopter helicopter takes-off, somewhere in India, all year round, day and night. Having said this, it was Bruno’s turn to announce the Eurocopter offering to India: Tiger helicopter for the IAF attack helicopter requirement; Fennec AS550 C3 for the LOH needs of the IA and IAF; EC 725 Cougar to meet the IN needs for multi-role helicopter; and the twin engine Dauphin and its military version, Panther AS 565 UB for the Indian Coast Guard. Speculating on the 384 LOH requirements whose RFP is awaited, Bruno felt that “while a few helicopters will be procured off the shelf, the need will be to partner on the HAL’s LOH programme that they have indicated on many occasions.” On the helicopter offer for the IN, Bruno made an interesting remark “The transfer of technology needs consent of all partner nations.” It seems that Eurocopter is not very keen to offer the successful Franco-German NH 90 helicopter designed for naval environment. Instead, it would pitch for its own EC 725 Cougar.
|
|
| |
|
© Copyright Arrowhead Media Pvt. Ltd.
All rights reserved. |
