Russian Helicopters, HAL to build helicopters and spares in India

Russian Helicopters, along with its main partner Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd, is elevating its strategic partnership in India

A Russian helicopter company has taken a multi-pronged approach under the 'Make in India' initiative by planning to start a chopper production base and a long-term supply chain network in India.

Russian Helicopters (RH), along with its main partner Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd (HAL), is elevating its strategic partnership in India to the next level with plans to work with a number of companies in the manufacturing and supply chain of helicopters and spare parts, said deputy chief executive officer Igor Chechikov.

"India is our strategic partner and we are working on a number of business plans to be a leading part of the 'Make in India' initiative," Chechikov said here.

RH aims to finalise all discussions and configuration by end of this year to move to the implementation phase of the contract.

RH and HAL, maintaining their long-term partnerships, will select a number of new qualified partners to participate in the helicopter production, offering opportunities to innovators within the small and medium enterprises, said Chechikov.

Additionally, RH and HAL are also discussing the supply of a number of new models of choppers to the Indian armed forces and Border Security Force, he said, underlining the importance of keeping RH's versatile brands on the forefront of the Indian market.

Chechikov also elaborated on the long-term contract for maintenance, covering aggregates and spare parts as well as training for personnel.

"Our proposals cover all segments of services to support the helicopter fleet in India," he said.

"We have high regards for the Indian armed forces professionals and their expertise. With this long-term contract, we aim to develop a schedule with them to support their helicopter services with a supply chain of an ever ready spare part stocks," he said.

The ongoing supply chain discussions are to factor in the pricing mechanism, delivery and manufacturing time for each spare part.

While highlighting the traditional and decades old Russia-India diplomatic relationship, Chechikov stressed the need for RH to be market-oriented in a competitive environment, especially in India which has become "immensely attractive to foreign investors and suppliers".

"RH will work in tandem with the Indian market's need and be among the leading players in the manufacturing segment," he said.