Russian helicopters: contract with India
A Russian helicopter design and manufacturing company
said it is in discussion with Indian partners to conclude a contract for 200
choppers, more than 140 of which will be made in India under an inter-government
pact.
"We are now discussing terms and conditions for the contract and copter
configuration," Igor Chechikov, deputy CEO of Russian Helicopters (RH), told.
Sixty of the contracted helicopters will be supplied from RH's existing
manufacturing facilities in Russia while planning will be worked out with
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and other partners to manufacture more than 140
units, making it one of the biggest investment venture under 'Make in India'
initiative.
The helicopters will be made in India under a pact signed by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi during his visit to Moscow in December. The choppers will be
supplied in collaboration with Rosoboronexport, a state export agency. The
ongoing discussions include the scope of setting up a helicopter plant in India
which will be in partnership with a number of Indian entities including HAL.
"We expect to produce more helicopters from India, given the country's demand
for a wide range of defence and security related equipment," Chechikov said,
pointing to the potential of growing the joint venture business as well as
technology and knowhow sharing between the two countries. India has a fleet of
over 450 Russian helicopters operating all of which were supplied over the last
three decades in various phases. He also stressed on supporting the Russian
hardware by establishing an after sales maintenance hub in India in the coming
years.
"India is a very strategic market with a huge demand for helicopters," he said
at the Singapore Airshow 2016. Russian helicopters are widely used by the Indian
air force, navy and border security force. RH is showcasing a wide range of its
technology-savvy helicopters and aircraft at the air show for the South East
Asian markets.
