Eurocopter to set up Indian arm in Bangalore

Eurocopter, the France-based, euro 3.21 billion company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of global aviation major EADS Group, is planning to set up an Indian subsidiary in Bangalore.

The company, which has a representative office in Bangalore, is planning to "expand further and set up a subsidiary in India," says a release on the company website. However, neither the investment nor the time frame for setting up the subsidiary has been mentioned.

Bruno Boulnois, general manager (India) of Eurocopter, said: "India is one of our strategic markets. We are about to hire qualified workforce to quickly implement an efficient organisation in Bangalore."

According to Norbert Ducrot, vice-president (sales-Asia) of Eurocopter, "Our focus in India will be to decisively increase our business by means of sales and successful industrial deployment. We are currently discussing numerous opportunities for long-term industrial co-operation with the Indian aerospace industry, specially regarding the 10 tonne-class helicopter required by the armed forces."

The company has been associated with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), which has modified its Alouette and Lama helicopters to manufacture 600 Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. The company has also been supplying rotor blades for HAL's advanced light helicopter, and has provided its Dauphin fleet of choppers to Pawan Hans.