Jerusalem, Feb 15: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) have signed two agreements towards joint manufacture and marketing of a new "international version" of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), 'Dhruv', to boost its global demand. "IAI and HAL received very positive feedback from potential customers for the 'Dhruv' when a prototype was displayed at the 2003 Paris Air Show and at the Aero-India Exhibition held in Bangalore, India last February. We expect orders worth multi-million dollars for the new international version", said Ilana Stern, a spokesperson for the IAI. Under the terms of the first agreement, IAI will develop and supply an advanced avionics for Dhruv which will enable it to operate effectively and safely in modern combat conditions.
The second agreement calls upon for establishing a joint venture company to lead the worldwide marketing and product support for the new version of the ALH.
The decision to proceed with an international version of the "Dhruv" helicopter was finalized recently at a signing ceremony held at IAI headquarters at Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel, the spokesperson said. The companies will jointly display the helicopter at the upcoming FIDAE exhibition in Chile in March. IAI also expects a multi-year order from the Indian Armed Forces for hundreds of helicopters. Bureau Report