ALH to vie with established players at Aero India

The fifth edition of the Aero India, a biennial regional trade show of the aviation industry, will see India's Advanced Light Helicopter rub shoulders with the more established players.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Bangalore-headquartered public sector aerospace firm, will display five variants of the five tonne aircraft at the trade show, air commodore S P Singh, air office commanding, said at the Yelahanka Air Force Base here Friday.

HAL, which designed the ALH with German help, expects to make some 300 such helicopters in various configurations, including an armed version. Development of that variant, which also interests the IAF, was going on and one configuration will be on display at the trade show, Singh said. HAL has partnered Israel Aircraft Industries to market the helicopter, and has made presentations to various customers, including the Chilean armed forces.

Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee is expected to inaugurate the five-day show on February 9 at the base, some 15 kilometre from here.

Nearly 80 aviation and related companies from 25 countries have confirmed their participation in the trade show and more are expected to join, an IAF spokesperson said.

A significant presence this time will be that of a United States Army team with its helicopter. This is the first time a major military team from the US is participating in Aero India, with defence firms from that country keen to rival sales pitches from Russia, India's traditional defence partner. After a small civilian presence in the first edition of Aero India, US defence aviation stayed away in 2001 and 2003 following India's nuclear tests in 1999.

US firms coming this time include Lockheed Martin, the makers of America's famous fighter aircraft, the F 16, and BELL. The Americans would put up a flying display of the F 16, Singh said, though it isn't clear how many aircraft will be involved. BELL will bring one of its helicopters, likely to be in the 9-tonne class.

The company, which awarded a contract to HAL to make some components for the helicopter, is exploring the Indian market. It is looking at the Indian government as a potential customer. Orion PC 3, a maritime aircraft, which both the Indian Navy and its Pakistani counterpart are said to be interested in, will be part of the American entry. Other companies at the show include Gulf Stream, Dassault, Northrop Grumman and Tashkent Aircraft Corp. The Indian Air Force is also expected to put up a flying display of its Russian-made Sukhoi 30 aircraft.