The Hindu Business Line : Bell Helicopters bullish on India

, The US-based Helicopter major, Bell, which is in the race to sell 197 Bell 407 helicopters to the Indian Army, is bullish on the prospects in both the civil and military market in India.

"India is important and has been identified as one of the top countries for Bell Helicopters regardless of whether we are successful in the Shen campaign of the Indian Army or not. For us it is not a question of when we go to India but how fast," said the Senior Vice-President, Business Development, Mr Robert Fitzpatrick.

The Indian Army has shortlisted Bell and Eurocopter for supply of 197 helicopters. Bell has indicated that if it is successful in its bid then it has plans of delivering 60 of the 197 helicopters off the shelf from its plant in Mirabel in Canada while Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) would be roped in to co-produce the rest.

"We intend to build a separate production line for the Indian Government. If we are successful then this will by far be the largest contract and India will be the first foreign military to which the Bell 407 would be sold," added the Campaign Director, International Military Sales, Mr Jay Ortiz. While officials were tight-lipped on the exact value of the deal, the list price of the Bell 407 is $1.8 million making it a more than $350-million deal.

The Indian Army is expected to take a decision during the third or fourth quarter of this year on which helicopter would best suit its need.

Bell, which reported sales of $20 million in India last year, has estimated that over the next 20 years India would require more than 620 helicopters valued at more than $4 billion. Bell sees demand for helicopters to come from diverse areas including emergency medical services and corporate transportation.

According to estimates by the company, the civilian sector's contribution over the next 20 years would be 40 per cent or $1.7 billion of the total sales.