Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, and Asia’s leading company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), have reiterated their commitment to take their five decade long relationship to the next level. The long-time partners are in the process of signing agreements to further strengthen their industrial cooperation and links. This association will focus on increasing existing collaboration and exploring new potential business areas to serve both Indian and international markets.

“HAL is fast developing into a major player in the aerospace sector. With this increasing pace of growth, HAL welcomes opportunities for joining hands with a global player like Eurocopter. We look forward to corroborating this partnership further in the coming years,” said Mr Ashok Nayak, HAL Chairman.

Since 1962, Eurocopter has partnered with HAL, through two co-operation agreements, enabling HAL to manufacture more than 600 helicopters based on the Alouette 3 and Lama, more popularly known in India as the Cheetah and Chetak. This fleet has been the backbone of the Indian Armed Forces over decades. India was the first nation with which Eurocopter signed a license agreement which included technology transfer. In 1984, HAL has been supported by Eurocopter in the development of the Advanced Light Helicopter, a 5-tonne twin-engine transport helicopter. This industrial partnership was strengthened in 2005 with the manufacturing of composite assemblies. Today, HAL is manufacturing 100 shipsets of these assemblies per year for the AS550/AS350 helicopters, and contributes to Eurocopter global supply chain.

Commenting on the Eurocopter-HAL association, Lutz Bertling, President and CEO of Eurocopter said, “HAL is one of the most important partners of Eurocopter Group. Giving continuity to our 50 years of successful relationship, we are proud today to reinforce and extend the scope of our association in India. We remain committed to work with HAL contributing to the expansion of the helicopter capabilities of India.”

With the launch of its India subsidiary – Eurocopter India Private Limited – Eurocopter demonstrated its commitment to the Indian market and industry, in which one of the key priorities would be the extension of industrial cooperation, further building on the 50-year relationship with HAL.

About HAL
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a company wholly owned by Government of India, having its registered office at Bangalore, India. HAL with a Turnover of nearly 3 BUSD in 2010-11 is a premier aeronautical complex in South East Asia. The business operations of HAL, reckoned as the Flag Bearer of the Indian Aviation, includes design & development, manufacture, upgrade and repair/ overhaul of aircraft (fighters, trainers & transport), Helicopters and associated Aero-engines, Accessories & Avionics for both military and civil applications. HAL has diversified into allied areas like manufacture of Structures for Aerospace Launch Vehicles/Satellites and Cryogenic Engines, production and overhaul of Marine & Industrial Gas Turbine Engines

About Eurocopter (Website: www.eurocopter.com)
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defense and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 17,500 people. In 2010, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market with a turnover of 4.8 billion Euros, orders for 346 new helicopters and a 49 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the total worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 30 subsidiaries and participations on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centers. There are currently 11,200 Eurocopter helicopters in service and some 2,900 customers in 147 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

About Eurocopter India Pvt Limited
On October 20, 2010, Eurocopter inaugurated its new Indian subsidiary, which has been given the goals of expanding the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer’s commercial presence in this highly-promising marketplace, reinforcing its support and services network throughout the country, and further developing the company’s four-decade relationship with Indian industry. Eurocopter India Pvt. Ltd. is the 25th subsidiary established worldwide by Eurocopter and the 10th in Asia. It is the first and only foreign helicopter manufacturer in the world to have created a fully-fledged subsidiary in India. The new subsidiary is headquartered in New Delhi and has an existing facility in Bangalore for the management of industrial activity. An engineering centre will be created in Bangalore next year to support the company’s design, development and industrial activities, along with the opening of a new commercial office in Mumbai.