Partnership between Eurocopter and IAR moves up a gear to manufacture light twin
Eurocopter Romania has delivered its first new-generation civil helicopters to Romania - three of five EC135 light twins - kickstarting the next phase of the industrial partnership, established last year between the Franco-German helicopter manufacturer and Romanian state aerospace company IAR. This will lead to completion and assembly of the multipurpose machine at the joint venture's Brasov base.
Eurocopter Romania has focused to date on maintenance and refurbishment of the AS316 Alouette III and AS330 Puma helicopters, which it had built under licence since 1970 and 1974, respectively, producing more than 370 machines. Jean Louis Mascle, Eurocopter Romania director general executive, says: "Eurocopter Romania will be responsible for the continued maintenance, upgrade and refurbishment of all 500 Pumas in service worldwide and continued customer support on the Alouette. We may also extend these activities to the BO105 light twin."
Eurocopter Romania will also now take on the sale and marketing of Eurocopter's range of new- generation civil helicopters within a pre-assigned area consisting of Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova and Serbia. Manufacturing activity will focus, however, on the EC135. "As we build up a critical mass we will begin to offer customisation moving into final assembly within five years," says Eurocopter senior executive vice-president Philippe Harache.
The delivery of the three EC135s - two law enforcement-configured types to the interior ministry and one emergency medical services-equipped machine to the health ministry - are predicted by Eurocopter to be the first of many orders within Romania and its target area. "We expect to reach sales of between 100 and 150 aircraft within 10 years," says Harache.
Romania, due to join the European Union in 2007, is expected to issue a tender for up to 18 more helicopters to help satisfy its law enforcement and border control requirements.
Source: Flight International
