The Hindu Business Line : Eurocopter, Sikorsky in running for HAL's new joint venture

Corporate - Alliances & Joint Ventures
Industry & Economy - PSU
Web Extras - Airlines

Eurocopter, Sikorsky in running for HAL's new joint venture

Madhumathi D.S.

Production of copter for Army, Navy

Bangalore , April 6

Military helicopter majors Eurocopter and Sikorsky are understood to be among the names in the running for a new 50:50 venture that Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has planned.

HAL is scouting for a collaborator to jointly design, develop and produce a large number of cargo or 24-28-seater copter for use by the Indian Army and Navy.

"We have shortlisted 3-4 companies and the partner selection is going on," Mr Ashok Baweja, HAL Chairman, confirmed, adding discussions were now on with the bidders and HAL may be able to finalise the partner in the next two or three months.

While Eurocopter, maker of aircraft like AS 550 Fennec, is part of EADS (European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company), US major Sikorsky is owned by United Technologies.

While it may take at least five years to get product certification, the deliveries may take another five years, Mr Baweja told Business Line, without divulging HAL's likely investment in the venture.

The Armed Services, Mr Baweja said, have a large requirement of the 10-tonne multi-role helicopters, which can operate at high altitudes, at temperatures ranging from very cold to 45 degrees Celsius.

Although HAL has produced on its own and supplied the Dhruv advanced light helicopter in the intermediate 5-6 tonne class for defence and civil uses, and has a good team of designers, "the existing platforms don't meet our new requirement for a powerful engine, modified gearbox and cockpit," Mr Baweja said.

To start the 10-tonne project from scratch would be expensive; the ALH development cost alone worked out to Rs 550 crore.

Working with a global major as partner would speed up the project.

Even while HAL has worked much on design and development, "A fair amount of work is still needed," and joint ventures were now the preferred mode for HAL just as with other aircraft makers elsewhere, he said.

To start the 10-tonne project from scratch would be expensive; the ALH development cost alone worked out to Rs 550 crore. Working with a global major as partner would speed up the project. Even while HAL has worked much on design and development, "A fair amount of work is still needed," and joint ventures were now the preferred mode for HAL just as with other aircraft makers elsewhere, he said.

Other ventures

Over a year back, HAL formed a 50:50 joint venture on similar lines to make engines and engine parts with the French Snecma (now part of Sagem.) Another partnership, IRAL, is on with Russian companies to make a 100-seater transport aircraft.

The older Chetak (Alouette III SE 3160) and Cheetah (Lama SA 315) copters were produced under licence from the French major. This would be HAL's third indigenous helicopter model after the Dhruv; and the light combat helicopter that is in the pipeline.

Mr Baweja said the ALH was flying again after a brief setback and many countries were making serious purchase enquiries. A marketing team would be resuming its campaign in South America this month.

More Stories on : Alliances & Joint Ventures | PSU | Airlines

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page