‘We are making good progress with our joint venture with Indian Rotorcraft’

SP's ShowNews(SP's): Can you briefly trace the history of AgustaWestland, the company’s track record of engagement with India and its range of products?

Bruno Spagnolini (Spagnolini): AgustaWestland has been present in India since the 1930s when the Westland Wapiti was the very first aircraft flown by the Indian Air Force, and then over 40 years ago, AgustaWestland commenced the supply and support of the Indian Navy’s Sea King fleet. More recently, we have achieved significant success with our commercial helicopter range for VIP and corporate transport, offshore oil and gas support and general charter operations. We have sold about 50 commercial helicopters in India in the last six years including almost 20 AW139 medium twins and so it is an important and growing market for us.

We have set up service centres with our partners (OSS Air Management and Air Works) in India to support these commercial helicopters locally and we have a long working relationship with HAL, particularly on Sea King repair and overhaul work. We are also making good progress with our joint venture with Tata Sons, known as Indian Rotorcraft, to assemble AgustaWestland light helicopters in India for the worldwide market.

SP's: In what time frame is the AgustaWestland AW189 that completed its maiden flight end of last year expected to be certified and enter service? Who are the launch customers for this machine?

Spagnolini: We are on schedule to obtain civil certification of the AW189 in 2013 with deliveries starting in early 2014. We now have several major operators who have signed contracts for the AW189, primarily for offshore oil and gas support activities but also potentially for search and rescue. The customers include Bristow Helicopters, Gulf Helicopters, Bel Air, Weststar Aviation Services and Bond Helicopters. The initial market response to the AW189 has been very positive. The eight-tonne AW189 is part of our new family of helicopters covering the four- to eight-tonne market with the new 4.5-tonne AW169 and 6.4-tonne AW139. Several operators have already placed orders for all three models.

SP's: What are the unique features of the VVIP version of the AW101 ordered by the Indian Air Force and in what time frame are the 12 helicopters on order for Air Headquarters Communication Squadron to be delivered?

Spagnolini: Two key advantages the AW101has over the competition and which are relevant to the VVIP market in general are its large cabin and the additional safety provided by its three engine design in the event of an engine failure. The cabin is almost 50 per cent bigger than its nearest rival and it is equipped with an active vibration control system that provides passengers with a quiet and smooth ride. India in now one of the several customers that have selected the AW101 for VVIP transport and we see the opportunity for additional sales in Asia and the Middle East. The first Indian Air Force AW101 will be delivered late this year with deliveries continuing through the first half of 2013.

SP's: What is the progress in the development of the AW609 tilt rotor multi-role helicopter? What are the roles envisaged for this machine?

Spagnolini: AgustaWestland took full ownership of the 609 programme in November last year. So we have now set out a programme schedule that will see the aircraft certified in early 2016 and deliveries commencing soon after that. At the moment we have flown over 650 hours on two test aircraft and we are building two more to help complete the certification test programme and develop a new avionics system which will incorporate the latest developments in satellite based navigation systems.

Now that we have acquired ownership of the programme, we are focused on both the commercial and public service markets where we see the AW609’s performance benefits delivering real value to the operators. Additionally, the AW609 is ideal for national security roles where it can be operated for SAR, VIP transport, and command and control missions. Commercial markets we see as important including long-range offshore oil and gas support, corporate transport, search and rescue, coast guard and law enforcement. We expect to sell 450 aircraft over a 20-year period and India could prove to be a good market for the AW609.

Importantly, the AW609 will be the world’s first high speed rotorcraft to go into production that will be certified to the most demanding standards for public transport operations. With a cruise speed twice that of a typical helicopter, twice the range of a helicopter, and the ability to cruise at altitudes of 20,000 ft above the weather; it will bring a whole new capability to the market.

SP's: What are the options that AgustaWestland can offer for replacement of the Sea King fleet of helicopters currently with the Indian Navy?

Spagnolini: We are competing to perform a mid-life upgrade on the Indian Navy Sea King fleet and as the original equipment manufacturer we believe we are best placed to undertake this work. The Indian Navy Sea King fleet still has many years of operation ahead of it and we hope we are able to support the aircraft until it’s planned out of service date - 2023.

We are also offering the NH90 to the Indian Navy for multi-role helicopter (MRH) programme. The NH90 is the only new generation naval helicopter in its class and is now in service with several European nations. The mission system we are offering with the NH90 will have significant commonality with that being proposed for the Sea King mid-life upgrade which will provide significant savings in terms of support and training.

We are convinced that the NH90 is the only helicopter to be compliant with the Indian Navy’s requirements and can perform the entire range of required missions.

SP's: What is scope of activities under the joint venture the company has entered into with Tata Sons?

Spagnolini: Following the signing of an MoU, we progressed to establishing a joint venture company known as Indian rotorcraft. The JV is now starting construction of a brand new helicopter assembly, completion and flight test facility in Hyderabad for AgustaWestland eight-seat light helicopters. This factory will then produce helicopters for the market worldwide, not just for India. This JV marks a new era in the history of Indian aviation and is something we are proud to have achieved with Tata Sons.