Eurocopter, the European helicopter major, is hoping to see its AS550 Fennec replacing the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters that have been the mainstay of the Army and the Air Force for over four decades. Cheetah and Chetak have been helping the armed forces from Siachen to the Thar desert.
Eurocopter will showcase its models of its military range which are proposed to the Indian armed forces. For the replacement for the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, Eurocopter sees itself being among the frontrunners. “For a good product pay the right price,” said Rainer Farid, senior vice president sales and marketing, Eurocopter.
But, he refused to divulge the price at which Eurocopter is offering the craft. India seeks to buy 197 helicopters for its defence forces and there is no dearth of suitors wanting to grab the project. The firm, which promises that there will be no cost escalation, says when you pay the price quality will not suffer.
If Eurocopter wins the contract along with its partner, it will set up an assembly line just as it has done in Brazil. The firm also promises to supply same machines as it has done in the European Union.
Eurocopter is showcasing its military range of helicopters — Fennec, Tiger and EC725. The AS550 Fennec is in operation with Singapore Armed Forces, the Royal Australian Army, the Brazilian Army and Air Force, the Danish Army, the French Army and the United Arab Emirates Army. Over 3,200 helicopters of the family have been ordered of which 2,500 have been delivered. The Tiger, which is an attack helicopter has seen 206 of them being ordered and 48 of them being delivered, mostly to European countries. The EC725 is also capable of performing medical transport and logistical services. It is said to be suitable for naval missions.
