Indian Rotorcraft (IRL), the proposed joint venture with AgustaWestland is for assembling AW119Ke helicopters. The assembly activity is slated to start in April 2014. The facility is being established in Hyderabad for assembling only AW119Ke helicopters.

IRL will export the assembled helicopters to AgustaWestland for it to sell to its customers. IRL business remit does not include any selling activity for defence related entities. At a future date, IRL could sell these helicopters, also, to the Indian domestic civil market for civilian usage. This is in line with the proposed joint venture’s stated intent to operate only in the civilian market.

IRL has no connections with the Indian Air Force purchase of AW101 helicopters. IRL does not envisage any impact on the proposed joint venture