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 IAF
sources indicated that eight helicopters would
be configured to ferry VVIPs and the remaining
four to carry baggage and support personnel.
The helicopter has been chosen in preference
to an offer by the US Sikorsky.
According to AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company,
the contract includes an extensive five-year logistic
support service and initial aircrew and technician
training.
Mr Giuseppe Orsi, CEO, AgustaWestland said: “This
significant order by the Indian Air Force to meet
its government transport helicopter requirement
confirms the correct vision and strategy of AgustaWestland
in India. Several years ago we identified India
as one of the pillars of our expansion strategy,
from both the market and the industrial points
of view. Today we have a significant and growing
presence in both the military and commercial markets.
“Additionally we now have strong industrial
relations with Tatas, with whom we have established
a joint venture initially for the production of
the AW119 Koala but soon this will become a wider
platform for our growth in the region. The particularly
good personal relations with Ratan Tata, who recently
visited AgustaWestland at Cascina Costa, will
further enhance the joint commitment to the expansion
of the helicopter industry in India to satisfy
various.requirements which are estimated to be
valued at €5-6 billion in the short to medium
term.”
AgustaWestland had delivered the first batch
of its Sea King helicopters to India in 1971 for
the Navy for anti-submarine warfare.
In 2005 it sold its first AW109 Power helicopter
to the Government of Rajasthan and since then
sales of its civil product range have takenoff
with orders being placed for over 30 aircraft
including additional AW109 Powers, the new Grand
light twin engine helicopter, the AW119Ke single
engine and the AW139 medium twin.
Recently orders in the commercial market have
been made by Agus taWes t land’ s author i zed
distributor, Sharp Ocean, for two VIP-configured
Grand New light twins and one AW119Ke, marking
the entrance of this state-of-the-art in India.
With a growing fleet and order book, it has expanded
its service network in India to deliver greater
levels of local customer service and support through
OSS Air Management and Air Works.
The AW119 is also the AgustaWestland contender
for the Defence Ministry’s Reconnaissance and
Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) programme. An AW119
demonstrator is currently conducting a series
of demonstrations to the Indian Armed Force’s
as part of the evaluation process, and it has
already demonstrated its capabilities operating
at altitudes in excess of 6,000m in the Himalayas.
Tests in hot environmental conditions will be
held in coming months.
AgustaWestland estimates a market potential worth
about €5-6 billion for over 600 military helicopters
in India in the next 10 years.
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