Eurocopter committed to be the solution provider for India’s air fleet modernization

Eurocopter, the global leader in helicopter manufacturing, will be showing a strong presence at Aero India 2009, the premiere defence Airshow in Asia, and will demonstrate that it is ready to offer what India needs for its helicopter requirements thanks to its wide range of products.

Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Asia points out:

“As the Indian defence industry embarks on an intensive modernization campaign, Eurocopter is ready to provide perfect solutions for all requirements. By participating in the key RFPs with the best of our products, we hope to continue to support India in developing a strengthened aerospace industry. “

Indeed, Eurocopter has a long tradition of cooperation with India. Eurocopter’s has had a partnership with India’s leading local industrial company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) since 1962. Starting with enabling HAL to manufacture more than 600 helicopters of the Alouette 3 and Lama type (Cheetah/ Chetak), the relationship strengthened further with Eurocopter outsourcing exhaustive Ecureuil work packages to HAL for the global market. Today, HAL is part of Eurocopter’s global supply chain by producing Ecureuil/Fennec airframes.

In 2009, in the military environment, Eurocopter has a market share of 55%, comprising HAL-made helicopters, whereas it holds a market share of about 50 % of the civil helicopter market.

Flying high on the international success of its wide range of products, Eurocopter will be showcasing models of its military range which are proposed to the Indian armed forces like Fennec, Tiger and EC725.

FENNEC is a reference helicopter regarding Extremely Hot / Desertic operations and, since 2005, it has demonstrated the capability of landing on the Top of the World, Mount Everest as well as on the Siachen Glacier in the Indian Himalaya. The AS550 FENNEC is also the only military certified helicopter in the world corresponding to the Indian Armed Forces requirements for Reconnaissance & Surveillance helicopters. In addition to this the FENNEC is the only one that exists in NAVAL military configurations available in both single or twin engine versions. The AS550 Fennec single-engine helicopter is in operation with the 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 over 2,500 have been delivered and are operational in over 70 countries.

The Tiger is the only combat helicopter in its class designed for the scenarios of the 21st century. It is the latest generation Attack Helicopter available on the market and already selected by different countries. It is considered the most multifunctional helicopter in the world. It is available in two basic versions the HAP combat support helicopter and the UHT anti-tank version, the first initially designed for the French Army and the second for the German Army. 2 versions having then derived from HAP, ARH for Australia and HAD for Spain and France. The Tiger is currently the most modern combat helicopter in the world. In total, 206 aircraft have been ordered by France, Germany, Australia and Spain, and 48 Tigers have already been delivered. These aircraft have recorded more than 13,000 flight hours.

Originally designed to perform various missions, including SAR, Combat SAR, long distance tactical transport missions, the EC725 can also perform medical transport and logistical services. Additionally, it can be perfectly fitted for naval missions. It is an upgraded version of the internationally successful Cougar family. The aircraft has an exceptional fuel capacity and boasts a flight endurance of five-and-a-half hours. The EC725 includes “In Flight Refuelling” capabilities from an Air Tanker Aircraft, making this helicopter capable of very long distance deployment in hostile areas. Similarly, the EC725 is one of the very few helicopters in the world being equipped with a “Full De-Icing System”, allowing it to be totally immune to weather limitations, even in extremely cold and icy environment.. Till November 2008, 96 EC725 had been ordered by 17 different countries. More recently, the Brazilian armed forces also recognized the multi-role capability of the aircraft and signed a contract for 50 EC725 helicopters.

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2008, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.5 billion Euros, orders for 715 new helicopters, and a 53 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

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