Anticipated end to military’s helicopter monopoly prompts new marketing efforts
Helicopter manufacturers are expecting a flood of sales to Vietnam as oil companies operating there expand their offshore fleets and the government buys aircraft for search and rescue, maritime patrol and police missions.
Manufacturers at last week’s Heli-Asia 2005 exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand said Vietnam’s defence ministry is evaluating several helicopter types for its coastguard, which has no rotary-wing assets. The ministry also needs new search and rescue helicopters and, in the long term, Vietnam is expected to begin using helicopters for aeromedical evacuation and police surveillance.
The defence ministry is the only helicopter operator in Vietnam, although some manufacturers believe Hanoi will soon allow private companies to launch operations for potential offshore oil customers. The air force-owned Northern Flight Services and Southern Flight Services operate all civil helicopters in Vietnam. Most operate from Vung Tau, where Vietnam’s fast-growing offshore oil industry is based, but some are also used for tourism and mineral exploration missions.
Vietnam’s civil helicopter fleet comprises only French and Russian helicopters, including Eurocopter AS332 Super Pumas and EC155s and Kazan Mi-8s, Mi-17s and Mi-172s.
Other manufacturers, including AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky, have launched marketing efforts in Vietnam in anticipation of new orders within the next couple of years.
However, Eurocopter and Kazan are confident they will sell additional helicopters to Northern Flight Services and Southern Flight Services over the next year and sources warn it may be difficult for other manufacturers to secure their first sales to Vietnam.
Manufacturers also say it is unclear exactly how many helicopters will be acquired by Hanoi and when because the defence ministry’s acquisition process appears unpredictable.
Source: Flight International
