April 21, 2008 -- AgustaWestland, the Anglo-Italian helicopter maker with a facility in Yeovil, Somerset, is poised to take part in a £1billion competition to supply military helicopters to India. It is one of several UK companies chasing deals on the subcontinent as its defense budget balloons. India's defense acquisition council has approved a tender for up to 384 light helicopters to be issued to industry. Manufacturers Agusta, Bell Helicopter, Eurocopter and Russia's Kamov are all expected to bid. British defense giant BAE Systems is in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics to set up a joint venture to manufacture its Hawk training jets in India for export around the world. The Indian government is also considering ordering BAE's Eurofighter Typhoons at a cost of £5 billion.
Abstracted from The Express on Sunday
