Eurocopter plans $1 bn investment in India

Eurocopter, the world's largest civil and military helicopter manufacturer, will invest over $1 billion in India over the next two years.

A wholly owned subsidiary of European aerospace major EADS, the company has put in bids for over 500 helicopter manufacturing contracts for Indian defence.

The company is planning to set up an Indian subsidiary, a helicopter training school, and a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre for helicopters in the country.

Eurocopter Regional Sales (South Asia) Director Rainer Farid told Business Standard that the company was bidding along with defence major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for light and 10-tonne helicopters for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

"We are exploring industrial deployment of our helicopters. Eurocopter is also planning to hire a qualified workforce for its India operations, based in Bangalore. The total investment in India could be in the region of $1 billion," he said.

Eurocopter is bidding for 260 single-engine high-altitude light reconnaissance helicopters for the Army. The first 60 will be delivered by Eurocopter directly, while the remaining will be manufactured with HAL.

Eurocopter India Manager (Administration) David Martin said the company had submitted joint bids with HAL for 200 ten-tonne helicopters for the Navy.

"The company is also bidding for VIP helicopter contracts for the Indian Air Force. Moreover, we are in talks with corporate houses for VIP travel and offshore transportation," Martin said.

Rainer pointed out that Eurocopter was also in the process of setting up a subsidiary, and a training school, which would be a hub for Asia. "This MRO will take care of all requirements of flight engineering and repair," he added.