Italy's Leonardo bets big on the Indian helicopter market

30 May 2024 CW Team

According to a key executive of its distributor for India, parent firm Leonardo is placing its bets on the Indian helicopter business, eschewing the Augusta Westland chopper bribery controversy of the UPA period. According to Harinder Commar, a partner at Universal Vulcan Aviation, the Italian helicopter major, formerly known as Finmeccanica, anticipates selling up to 30 helicopters in the next three years. Leonardo SpA, which is partially owned by the Italian government, has chosen Vulcan Aviation to serve as its distributor in India. It will include all thirty of Leonardo's helicopters, including models with one and two engines. Five AW09, eleven AW109 Trekker, AW139, and AW169 are among the helicopters.

Harinder Commar expressed his observation regarding an opportunity to deploy these 30 helicopters in the Indian market to meet various needs, including transporting very important persons (VIPs), especially at a time when many existing helicopter operators are modernising their fleets.

According to Commar, there exists a significant replacement market, as the average manufacturing year of helicopters currently in operation in India predates 2008. State governments are primarily seeking to either renew or expand their helicopter fleets. Additionally, there is a demand among VIP customers who currently charter helicopters but are interested in purchasing their own aircraft.

Commar highlighted that the Indian helicopter market has yet to reach its full potential. He cited the example of Brazil, where there are approximately 700 helicopters solely dedicated to transporting important personalities.

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