U.S. helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky, on Friday, said that it might look at producing S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters in the country if it won a likely additional order for around 120 multi-role helicopters.
If that happens, it would be Sikorsky’s first manufacturing venture outside the U.S. It was earlier selected as the L1 (least cost) supplier of 16 of the Seahawk MRHs for the Navy. The government’s Cost Negotiation Committee is discussing the deal cost and details before signing the contract.
The company also said it was open to bidding for the VVIP helicopter deal whenever it was re-tendered, its senior officials said.
About the MRH, Bob Kokorda, Vice-President of International Business, Sikorsky Defence Systems and Service, said, “We know from the RFI stages that the follow-on order would be for about 120 helicopters. We believe that under the current defence procurement policy, ‘Make in India’ is going to become prominent. We are in a position to address this and produce it locally with our Indian partners.”
Sikorsky, part of the United Technologies group, has a venture with Tata Advanced Systems in Hyderabad to make helicopter cabins. He said they might bring in more partners if it started manufacturing in India.
The pervious government had cancelled the $770-million deal for 12 VVIP copters deal with Italy’s AgustaWestland after corruption charges surfaced.
“Our VVIP copter S-92 helicopters have well over 800,000 flight hours now and the cabins are made in India. If and when the government issues re-tenders, we are ready to engage, and we are excited about the opportunity,” said Samir Mehta, President, Defence Systems & Services.
