Indian Defence Review

Rainer Farid, Vice President, Sales & Customer Relations for India & South Asia, Airbus Helicopters

What is the strategy Airbus Helicopters has adopted in order to consolidate its position in the Indian market?

The link between India and Airbus Helicopters has always been a partnership approach rather than a client – buyer relationship. For over 50 years, licensed production, sharing of technical knowledge and local sourcing have been key elements and still remain the core of Airbus Helicopters’ strategy in India.

Airbus Helicopters has the widest range of defence and civil products in the world suitable for all kinds of missions, like VIP and corporate missions, search and rescue missions, police missions, multi-role missions, combat missions, naval missions and so on.

We already have fifty years of long standing association with India, through our partnership with HAL. The Cheetah/Chetak fleet based on the Airbus Helicopters Alouette III and Lama models are at the base of this relationship.

In the coming years we plan to not only enlarge existing industrial co-operations, like the one with HAL, but also check for synergies in partnering with more private companies in India. In fact, in this framework of trustful and mutually fruitful cooperation, Airbus Helicopters has always offered India the best of products and technology. Throughout this ongoing partnership, we have helped create a highly skilled technical workforce of over 2,000 people. Further, recognising the increasing need for qualified helicopter pilots, the company is actively supporting the Indian government in setting up state-of-the-art helicopter pilots training facilities.

While many other players are now planning to offer such a mix of technology and skill, we have already been truly partnering with India across the entire spectrum of helicopter services, ranging from manufacturing to operations, maintenance and product support. This partnership has also helped Airbus Helicopters in supporting the development of local ancillary industry.

We understand that the AS565 MBe Panther is being proposed to meet the Indian Navy’s requirement for 56 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH). Could you provide some details on the helicopter?

AS565 MB

Yes, we have proposed the A5565 MBe Naval Panther, which is an upgraded version of the Panther MB, for this competition.  Field Evaluation Trials in India are planned in 2014. We are also participating with our AS565 MB Panther naval version in the RFP for 16 ship-based helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard.

Airbus Helicopters’AS565 MB Panther offers a force multiplier with a heritage of mission-proven rotorcraft in service with military forces worldwide. The Panther/Dauphin helicopters are operational around the world in naval and coast guard service in countries such as the United States of America, France, Spain, China, Saudi Arabia, Korea and Malaysia, among others. AS565 MB Panther naval version, the all-weather, multi-role light helicopter can be operated from ship decks, offshore platforms and land bases with demonstrated capabilities to cover the full range of Indian Navy and Coast Guard mission requirements – including maritime surveillance, search and rescue, offshore patrolling and counter-terrorism, casualty evacuation and vertical replenishment.

What about Airbus Helicopters offer of the EC725 to meet the requirement for 120 NMRH for the Indian Navy?

Airbus Helicopters’ EC725 is the most adaptable and cost-effective solution to respond to the requirement of the Indian Navy for a quickly deliverable Naval Multi Role Helicopter. The proposed multi-role configuration provides maximum flexibility and utility.

EC-725

Introduced in 2005, the EC725 is already a combat proven multi-role helicopter and has seen combat service worldwide, including Lebanon, Afghanistan and recently Africa. The EC725 has operated from ships and ashore. It is a truly multi-purpose, versatile military asset. Special Operations, Combat SAR and Personnel Recovery require performance, precise navigation and survivability. The EC725 is outstanding in these aspects and thus fits perfectly the Indian Navy requirements for ASuW, Special Forces, Amphibious assault, Troop carrier, Search and Rescue (SAR) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations.

The EC725 is fast becoming a reference in Asia as the most cost effective latest generation military helicopter. In 2010, Malaysia signed a contract for 12 EC725 and in 2012; Indonesia signed a contract for 6 EC725 after Brazil’s decision in 2009 to acquire 50 EC725 and Mexico 15 EC725.The EC725 is fully NATO qualified to operate day and night from more than 100 types of warships, including frigates, aircraft carriers and landing helicopter assault ships.

What Airbus Helicopters has to offer as a replacement of Chettah and Chetak fleet of Indian defence forces?

Fennec

We offer AS550 C3 Fennec, it is a light single-engine helicopter that has been one of the most successful helicopters in its class for modern combat. Its superior ability for reconnaissance and surveillance missions makes it a formidable asset for the Indian Army and Air Force in their search for the Cheetah and Chetak fleet replacement.

Reconnaissance and observation helicopters need to be capable of fulfilling various roles – personnel transport, escort and armed missions, casualty evacuation and observation. The Fennec is fitted with armored seats to carry up to five troop members, and the cabin can be re-configured for medical evacuation with capacity for up to two medical evacuation stretchers and two doctors.

The AS550 C3 Fennec’s multi-role capabilities have made it a success during operations in extreme conditions from deserts to the highest altitudes that cover India’s geographical diversity. Nearly 300 AS550 Fennec helicopters are in service with 25 armed forces in 24 countries.

Could you share some information on the offset obligations for these tenders, and how Airbus Helicopters intends to meet them?

Airbus Helicopters has been very successful in developing and implementing co-operation packages worldwide. Similarly, licensed production, technology transfer and sourcing have been key elements of Airbus Helicopters’ contribution in India for over 50 years and will remain the core of our strategy.

Being the owner of its technology, Airbus Helicopters has the ability to deliver unique knowledge transfer and high quality activities in the frame of the co-operation proposal associated with the Indian defence helicopter acquisition programmes. Airbus Helicopters has already developed a sound industrial co-operation on previous licensed programmes and is therefore confident to be in the best position to become a privileged contributor to the development of the Indian aeronautical industry, and Indian defence rotorcraft programmes.