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New Delhi: In a development that could be a prelude to first ever bulk sales of aviation platform overseas, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed a contract with Chile for manufacture of helicopter parts and assemblies.
The contract with the Chilean aviation company MS Enar, was signed in Santiago yesterday (Nov 2, 2005) in the presence of Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Chilean counterpart Jamie Ravinet, an official statement said here.
Mukherjee, heading a high-level defence delegation, is currently on an official visit to the South American nation.
The Defence Public Sector undertaking, HAL is bidding to make it's first ever foray into foreign arms sales by offering Chilean armed forces 20 to 30 Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters at an estimated cost of 400 million US dollars (Rs1800 crore).
The helicopters have already undergone strenuous trials in Chile.
If the deal goes through, it would be India's first ever-major defence deal overseas.
HAL, whose the Advanced Light Helicopters are in the process of being inducted into Indian Armed Forces, has sold a Dhruv to Israeli aviation Company IAI, which is undertaking overseas marketing for HAL.
In the course of his visit, Mukherjee became the first Minister from India to fly to Antartica. The Defence Minister spent six hours at the Chielan armed forces base at King island located in Antartica.
He held discussions with Chilean scientists and top officials for exploring cooperation between Chilean and Indian bases in Antartica. |
