|
 Its
MD, India and South Asia Air Vice Marshal AJS
Walia (Retd), conferred recently with ‘The Breakthrough
Market Award’ by the company aid that “India is
one of the fastest markets in the world for helicopters
nd has potential for the company at 21.4 billion
in 2011-31.”
“Out of this, $14.4 billion will be military-related
and $7.6 billion for civil use. This also includes
the demand for paramilitary forces,” informed
Air Vice Marshal Walia.
The company recenly signed an agreement to sell
one S-76 C++ helicopter to the government of Maharashtra,
and responded to RFIs from the Navy and Coast
Guard who are looking for sophisticated helicopters
to meet the growing challenges of tomorrow. Sikorsky
is keen to manufacture aircraft in India if there
are sufficient numbers to justify investment and
transfer of technology.
“We are honored that the Maharashtra Government
has chosen the S-76C++ helicopter after an extremely
transparent, open and rigorous competition. This
aircraft is recognized the world over for its
safety, performance, efficiency and comfort. We
thank the government and look forward to delivering
this highly capable, fully configured aircraft
before the end of the year,” AVM Walia said.
Sikorsky is eying two helicopter requirements
of the Indian armed forces very closely. “We have
responded to the Indian Navy ’s recently issued
Request for Information (RFI) for a second batch
of Naval Multi-role helicopters for which we can
offer a variety/ combination of Cyclone 148/ MH-
60R “Romeo/60 S etc. It hasn’t exactly come as
a surprise. The Indian Navy has been working towards
its requirements for some time now. We don’t know
the exact numbers of the aircraft required in
this deal. Meanwhile the S-70B is currently vying
for the first batch of 16-plus eight (option)
multirole choppers the Indian Navy is purchasing
at an estimated cost of $1 billion. We will be
conducting flight evaluation trials in Sep/Oct
11. The existing competition for procuring multi-role
helicopters will continue as scheduled,” he told
India Strategic.
Sikorsky has responded to the Indian Coast Guard
RFI for dry leasing of eight S 76 C plus helicopters.
It is also in fray for two tenders floated by
them , one for 16 ship borne helicopters and the
other one for 14 shore based . The requirement
of 14 shore based helicopters is in the RFP stage.
Post 26/11 India’s homeland security needs have
leaped and Coast Guard is in its major expansion
mode. “The country deserves good competition to
get a good machine and the government should take
its own time to decide,” said AVM Walia.
 Reiterating
the Indian paramilitary chopper requirement, Sikorsky
is also in discussions with India’s State Police
Departments, Border Security Forces, National
Disaster Management and National Security Guard
on their requirements. “If we win the Indian orders,
we will then bring the whole production line to
India. We strongly support the Buy & Make Indian
policy of the Government of India and will be
happiest making indigenous helicopters for both
Indian and global market by 2016. United Technologies
mission statement states that UT will treat the
Indian government and the Indian Defence Forces
as we treat the U.S. government and the U.S. Defence
Forces,” he said.
He informed India Strategic that
the RFI for upgrade of six helicopters UH-3 Sea
King on INS Jalashwa has been floated by the Ministry
of Defence and Sikorsky has responded to it. It
may be recalled that Sikorsky had offered to upgrade
these choppers and had approached the MOD.
The Indian Navy got the old helicopters from
the US Navy at a nominal price as part of the
Trenton LPD (now INS Jalashwa) deal.
AVM Walia swaid that Sikorsky has already interacted
with and identified Indian companies for future
joint ventures. With a very successful relationship
with the Tata group, the US helicopter manufacturer
is keen to exploit the Indian technical skills
and manpower for its prospective ventures. It
is also in a dialogue stage with HAL for a possible
tie-up & coproduction.
Reiterating its commitment to the Indian market,
Sikorsky presented the first ever ‘Breakthrough
Market Award‘ to AVM Walia, at the World Wide
Sales Conference held at Palm Beach USA recently
for his accomplishments, tireless efforts, leadership
and guidance- combined with his tremendous knowledge
of the commercial and military market. Accepting
the award, he, said, “I am honored to receive
this award. It feels great to be recognized for
our constant endeavor to establish Sikorsky in
the Indian market.”
|
