Our helicopters know the Indian skies, know every corner of India,” said Eurocopter President and CEO, Lutz Bertling, while announcing that “Eurocopter is not shy of cooperating” at Aero India 2013.

Eurocopter which has begun its defence campaign with a number of platforms will set up production capabilities in India to meet Indian defence requirements. The Indian Army and Air Force require 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters and Eurocopter is offering AS550 C3 Fennec in a re-tendered process. Eurocopter had won the competition but the first tender was cancelled.

“We have the best tool for the Indian Air Force,” he said and added that it was now for the Indian Government to decide on the programme. Nevertheless Eurocopter is ready to set up assembly line in India, considering the industrial competence and the economic benefits it offers.

Eurocopter’s proposed platforms include AS565 MBe Panther – the Indian Navy requires 56 Naval utility helicopters and the Indian Coast Guard is looking for 16 shipbased light medium helicopters. Again the Indian Navy is looking for 120 naval multirole helicopters (buy and make) and the Indian Coast Guard 14 shore-based CSAR helicopters for which Eurocopter has EC725. “We have ideal replacements for the Cheetahs and Chetaks.”