Eurocopter eyes 50% share of Indian helicopter market

Helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, an arm of European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company, or EADS, today inaugurated its Indian subsidiary as part of its efforts to capture a 50 per cent share of the growing Indian helicopter market in the next five years.

“The Indian helicopter market is growing at the rate of 20 per cent... We want to increase our presence in the Indian civilian and military helicopter market and aim to have a 50 per cent market share in the next five years,” said Marie-Agnes Veve, chief executive officer of Eurocopter India.

Fort Worth, Texas, US-headquartered Bell Helicopter leads the Indian helicopter market, with a 50 per cent share. Eurocopter commands 30 per cent.

The Indian unit is Eurocopter’s 25th subsidiary worldwide and the 10th in Asia.

She said initially, they would set up maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) networks in different parts of the country, with existing partners like Pawan Hans Helicopter and Indocopters. “Within five years, the target is to set up our own MRO network.”