More than 8,000 helicopters worth over $19 billion will be delivered over the next 10 years, according to a study by US-based market analyst Forecast International/ DMS.
In its report The World Commercial Rotorcraft Market 1998-2007, Forecast predicts that, in terms of unit production, the market will be led by Bell Helicopter Textron with 23%, followed by Eurocopter with 18.75%, Sikorsky with 12.3% and Mil with 10.7%.
"The world helicopter market is undergoing some major shake-ups," says the company, "but once the smoke has cleared, Bell will retain its position as market leader in terms of revenues, with Eurocopter and Sikorsky each registering market share gains of several percentage points."
The Connecticut-based company claims that total helicopter deliveries will be higher during the first half of the 10-year forecast, but shipments of commercial medium/heavy helicopters will rise steadily during the second half "-as new models such as the civil [EH Industries] EH101, [Kamov] Ka-62/62M, [Mil] Mi-38 and the [Sikorsky] S-92 enter the market".
In the light helicopter market, Forecast predicts that deliveries of single-engine models will outpace those of twins during the first four years of the period, but will drop off after 2001 as shipments of light twins accelerate.
The report also reveals that joint ventures "and other forms of collaboration" will rise in the next 10 years, citing as examples: the Agusta/Bell link-up on the 609 tilt-rotor and the twin-engined A319 projects,the possible merger of Italy's Agusta with UK-based Westland.
"Some of the most visible examples of this are Sikorsky's multi-national S-92 partnership, Kamov and Mil are seeking closer ties with western manufacturers, the Bell/ Samsung twin-engined Model 427, and Eurocopter's link with China and Singapore on the EC-120," it adds.
Source: Flight International
