Eurocopter is using Dubai as a springboard for a series of potential regional deals.
Key target is a contract for up to 20 aircraft in Oman where the air force seeks a replacement for its fleet of Bell 212s and 412s. Eurocopter is bidding with the NH90.
Oman requires a tactical troop transport aircraft and Eurocopter is pressing the capabilities of the NH90, particularly for hot and high missions.
Olivier Lambert, executive vice-president, sales and marketing for Eurocopter, says Kuwait and Saudi Arabia also present opportunities.
"We've recently concluded a deal in Kuwait for two AS365Ns for the ministry of the interior," he says. "The ministry is already a customer as it operates two EC135s. We are also talking to Saudi Arabia about various potential requirements on the military side."
Meanwhile, Eurocopter has unveiled more details about its plans to create an assembly line for the EC120 light helicopter, dubbed the HC120, in China. Lambert says the line in Harbin will be operational in the next "four to six months".
Eurocopter is taking a 61% stake in the venture which includes CATIC/HAMC with 24% and Singapore Aerospace with the remaining 15%.
Lambert believes a realistic target is initial sales of 10-20 aircraft a year as a result of the in-country investment. Eurocopter has struggled to win sales of the EC120 in China, registering just two to date.
"We've been in China since 1962 so this is an extension of the relationship rather than something completely new," explains Lambert. "The Dauphin is already manufactured under licence in China. We believe that emerging missions for the EC120 include police enforcement, search and rescue, coastguard type applications and in the future EMS also."
Under the China partnership, CATIC/HAMC will design and build the fuselage and fuel system, Singapore Aerospace will manufacture access doors, tail boom and the composite structure of the Fenestron tail rotor, while Eurocopter will be responsible for overall design and testing, drive trains, avionics, electrical systems, integration and primary assembly.
Source: Flight Daily News
