ANDREW DOYLE / SINGAPORE
But Harbin faces tussle with Eurocopter over licence-production agreement for AS365 Dauphin variant
Harbin Aircraft Industry has obtained Chinese certification for a re-engined version of its Z-9 light twin-turboshaft multi purpose helicopter amid a wrangle with Eurocopter over production rights.
The latest Z-9, designated H410A, is equipped with more- powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshafts to improve hot-and- high performance. The Z-9 is itself an indigenous version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, a large number of which were assembled under licence in China in batches between 1982 and the mid-1990s.
Eurocopter is objecting to China Aviation Industry Corporation II company Harbin's decision to continue producing the Z-9 despite the expiry of the licence-production agreement, say industry sources. Talks aimed at resolving the issue are continuing.
The issue is sensitive because Eurocopter parent EADS has numerous industrial co-operation deals in place in China and has secured a large number of sales of Airbus airliners in the country.
Harbin also has a 24% stake in the Eurocopter EC120 helicopter programme and is responsible for manufacture of the bulk of the aircraft's fuselage. The company claims to have secured orders for eight H410As but has not revealed the customers' identity.
Various armed versions of the Z-9 have been produced for the Chinese military. Eurocopter is supplying the rotor system for the new 5,500kg (12,000lb)-class, twin-engined Z-10 multipurpose/attack helicopter to be produced by Changhe Aircraft Industries in Jiangxi Province (Flight International, 3-9 April, 2001). AgustaWestland is providing the gearbox and Pratt & Whitney Canada has delivered the first shipset of PT6 engines.
There are fewer than 100 general-purpose helicopters in China, although numbers are expected to grow in the country as helicopter use is gaining momentum.
Source: Flight International