AgustaWestland at Aero India 2013

Company is showcasing a wide range of both military and commercial helicopters at Aero India 2013.

Geoff Hoon, AgustaWestland’s managing director, International Business said, “India is an important and growing market for AgustaWestland, so at Aero India we are promoting the most modern and capable rotorcraft available today, confident that we can build on our past successes and fulfil the future requirements of both the Indian armed forces and commercial customers.”

Hoon added, “We will also be using Aero India to help pursue our strategy to expand and develop our relationships with Indian companies to ensure we are a part of India’s growing aerospace industry. Indian Rotorcraft Limited, our joint venture with Tata Sons, is a prime example of this strategy and our long term commitment to India.”

AgustsWestland is showcasing the civilian AW139 12 to 15 seat medium twin engined commercial helicopter.

On the commercial side, AgustaWestland sold its first AW109 Power helicopter to the Government of Rajasthan in 2005. Since then, sales of its civil product range have continued, with orders being placed for nearly 50 aircraft including additional AW109 Powers, the GrandNew light twin-engine helicopter, the AW119Ke and the AW139 medium twin-engine helicopter. AgustaWestland is a worldwide leader in the supply of corporate and VIP helicopters and is the last five years has been the market leader in India with over a 50 percent share of the commercial helicopter market.

AgustaWestland will certify two all new twin-engine commercial helicopters, the AW189 and AW169, in 2013 and 2014 respectively, which along with the in service AW139 form the new AgustaWestland family of helicopters covering the 4.5 to 8 tonne weight range.

AgustaWestland has appointed OSS Air and AirWorks as authorised service centres for its commercial helicopters in India.

In 2010, AgustaWestland signed a joint venture agreement with Tata Sons for the final assembly, completion and delivery of AW119 commercial helicopters for the worldwide market. This company, Indian Rotorcraft, will produce the aircraft in Hyderabad, where an all-new facility is currently under construction.

The facility will be capable of producing up to 30 helicopters per year and will be able to accommodate a variety of helicopter types, including the AW101. Final assembly of aircraft is scheduled to start in early 2014.