BAE Systems looking at India's commercial airspace
Tuesday, 13 November 2007, 20:30 IST
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Dubai: British defence and aerospace company BAE Systems has big plans for India, ranging from commercial aerospace to land defence systems. "We are looking at India keenly. India is an enormous market and is strategically very important for us," Guy Douglas, communications director of BAE Systems for Middle East, Africa and India, told IANS at the Dubai Airshow here. His comments came as the first two of BAE Systems' Hawk jet trainer aircraft, part of a 66-aircraft deal, left Britain for India. Douglas Monday said that, of the 66 Hawk aircraft, 42 would be made in India at the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) facility in Bangalore. Asked if his company is looking at the Indian market for the new generation Eurofighter Typhoon strike aircraft, he said: "We are in receipt of an RFP (request for proposal) from the Indian government for 126 MMRCAs (medium multi-role combat aircraft) for the Indian Air Force. Our partner EADS (of France) will be dealing with India over the Eurofighter Typhoon." Designed and built by a consortium comprising BAE Systems, EADS and Alenia Aeronautica, the Eurofighter is a twin-engine strike fighter aircraft. The aircraft has entered service with British, German, Italian and Spanish air forces. "Austria will also soon join this list," Douglas said. Saudi Arabia signed a 4.43 billion pounds ($9 million) deal a couple of months back with Britain for 72 of these aircraft. Elaborating on BAE Systems' plans for India, Douglas said: "See, we are not just the world's third largest defence business (after Boeing and Lockheed Martin), but also the world's largest land systems business. That is why we are not limiting our vision in India to the defence airspace alone." Stating that commercial airspace is a viable option, he said: "India's commercial aviation sector is big with a market worth at least $1.8 billion. We have products that will allow us to enter the commercial airspace in India." Asked about other areas of interest, Douglas said: "We are looking at the Indian army with our land systems business. We are close to delivering a new tactical communication system to the British army. We feel that this system is suitable for the Indian army too which has similar needs. "We are in search for a partner in India outside the PSUs (public sector units) to expand our business in India," he added. "Our relationship with India goes back 60 years. We want that to last even longer."
Source: IANS
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