|
Bell delivers 100th rotorcraft to India |
|
Monday, 20 October 2008 |
|
India is to take delivery of its 100th commercial Bell helicopter.
Helicopter manufacturer Bell has announce the delivery of the 100th commercial rotorcraft to India, a Bell 412.
Abir Infrastructure Private, which will take ownership of the helicopter at the India Aviation air show, said that its new acquisition would help it to expand in "multiple business lines" across the country.
Bell delivered its first helicopter to India in 1956. Since that time it has sold a variety of models to commercial customers in the country, growing its market share to 50 per cent.
Jon Rudy, director of Asian business development at the manufacturer, said that Bell and its partners are "proud" to deliver their 100th commercial helicopter to the Indian market.
"We have a winning team and are looking forward to achieving the next 100 deliveries in India," he added.
In other news, the US Department of Defence has notified Bell that it will not be certifying the US Army armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH) programme for continuation.
The ARH was awarded to Bell for projected development costs of $359 million (£207 million), but these have since risen to $942 million (£542 million), prompting the army to terminate the contract.
First delivery for the new aircraft had also been pushed back from 2009 to 2013. |
