The Hindu : Karnataka News : HAL inks deal with Eurocopter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 14, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

HAL inks deal with Eurocopter

By Rasheed Kappan

BANGALORE, FEB. 13. Close on the heels of its Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) with American aviation major Lockheed Martin, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into a Global Industrial Cooperation Partnership Agreement with Eurocopter to pave the way for the joint production of the Ecureuil and Fennec family of helicopters for the world market.

The agreement, signed at the ongoing "Aero-India 2005" international air show here, envisages supply of composite and metallic structural assemblies for Ecureuil and Fennec family of Eurocopter helicopter, which fall under the two to three tonne class.

Incidentally, the Indian Army is evaluating the Fennec C-3 helicopter for induction. The Army, which is looking for 197 helicopters, has made it clear that any acquisition deal should incorporate technology transfer and joint production. HAL's latest agreement with Eurocopter is likely to make that process smoother, sources told The Hindu .

Under the agreement, HAL will supply the composite and metallic work packages, including the airframe for the two helicopters. "The company will be the main source of supply for the world market," a top Eurocopter official disclosed to this newspaper.

The agreement, the official said, will be for a period of 10 years and will meet HAL's objective of boosting exports as one of its key thrust areas, besides meeting the national defence needs.

Technology transfer

If the Indian Army selects the Eurocopter's light, single-engine six-seater Fennec helicopter, the European major has agreed for full transfer of technology and supply of all the helicopters in two batches. Sixty helicopters will be for direct purchase and the rest will be co-produced, apparently by HAL, the Eurocopter official said.

Eurocopter supported HAL to produce the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. The new military copters from the Ecureuil (the Cougar AS 532 helicopter in particular) and Fennec family are being looked at potential replacements for the old aircraft. The production of the two copters will complement the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. Indian Navy is being offered the Cougar helicopter.

It is learnt that Eurocopter is also poised to extend greater contracts to HAL in the area of composites, considering the Indian company's strength in the area. The composites will be for different choppers produced by Eurocopter.

The Eurocopter group is now a subsidiary owned by European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company, one of the three largest aerospace groups.

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