HAL in talks with S American countries to export Dhruv Farnborough (UK), July 16: Riding high on the success of bagging a contract for seven 'Dhruv' helicopters from Ecuador late last month, India's bluechip aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is now in talks with other South American countries for further export orders.
"We are in negotiations with a couple of South American nations for supplying Dhruv choppers. We hope to finalise the deals with these countries in a month. Two or three countries will be part of our export orders soon," Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman Ashok K Baweja said here today.
HAL is negotiating with Bolivia for delivery of five Dhruvs and with Venezuela for seven of the choppers in transport roles, and in Europe, it was discussing a deal with Turkey for supply of 17 of the Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) in medical assistance roles, PTI has learnt.
India had made aviation history by concluding a USD 51 million deal with South American Republic of Ecuador for sale of 'Dhruv', amidst stiff competition from other helicopter majors Elbit, Eurocoptor and Kazan.
So far, the helicopter market had been dominated by US, European and Russian companies, but with the Ecuador deal, India joined a select group of nations with capability to bid for international contracts for choppers.
Despite coming close to bagging the first export order from Chilean armed forces two years ago, HAL had lost the bid due to "factors beyond their control", Baweja said.
But he had no regrets, as the Ecuador deal had turned the tide in favour of HAL, and Dhruv-a 5.5-tonne weight class multi-role, multi-mission helicopter-is making waves at international air shows in the recent times with the Indian Air Force (IAF) 'Sarang' formation flying team receiving huge attention.
Bureau Report
Source
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=455766&sid=NAT
Back to Index
Move to Top 
