Eurocopter plans assembling unit in India

Leading helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter today said it is planning to set up an assembling unit in India by floating an Indian subsidiary.

On the eve of the India Aviation-2010, company Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer Marie Agnes Veve said a decision on setting up the Indian subsidiary would be taken in a couple of months.

"The proposed Indian subsidiary will be responsible for Indian operations like setting up joint ventures and outsourcing of components," she told reporters here.

The company is also entering into a memorandum of understanding with country's largest civil helicopter operator Pawan Hans for setting up two joint venture units, one each for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and training.

Veve also said that "the MRO and training facilities would come up either in Delhi or Mumbai".

The joint venture for training would have a full flight simulator for the AS 365 N3 Dauphin helicopters, she added.

Both the MRO and the training facility would be ready by end of this calendar year. The MRO facility would be developed into a centre of excellence.

Eurocopter has 76 civil helicopters flying in India with a majority of its aircraft being in service with Pawan Hans.

Marie noted that helicopter market in India was growing by 20 per cent every year. "Last year, we had 10 bookings and delivered seven helicopters and this year we are expecting 15 bookings and 10 deliveries. There is scope for development of heliports in Delhi, Mumbai and other big cities and our partner Pawan Hans will make the investments for heliports," she added.

Meanwhile in a statement issued later, Pawan Hans Chairman & Managing Director R K Tyagi said: "As the Indian helicopter market expands, we see tremendous opportunity for Pawan Hans in the oil & gas, tourism and corporate travel segments. It is a significant asset to have Eurocopter as a reliable partner offering the best-in-class products and services to help us meet our goal of providing the best services to our customers."

Veve said that "through these joint ventures we wish to come closer to the Indian customers and serve them better. We will now be able to provide even better support, service and fleet safety solutions to the Indian market. Also, seeing the need for trained helicopter pilots in India, we look forward to supporting the country in meeting this need".