Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, which is part of United Technologies Corporation (UTC) has in collaboration with the Tata Group set up a facility in Hyderabad for manufacturing cabins for its S-92 helicopters. In an interaction with BV Mahalakshmi, AVM AJS Walia, regional executive, India and South Asia, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, says that the company is looking to scale up business in India.Excerpts:
What are your views about the aerospace manufacturing scenario in India?
Post-independence, aerospace manufacturing in India has been mostly limited to the public sector and defence applications. While organisations such as Gas Turbine Research Establishment and NAL have focusced on research, HAL has been the prime for military aircraft co-production, maintenance repair and overhaul. Consequently, an aerospace cluster has emerged in Bangalore and surrounding areas with reasonable expertise, but on a limited scale. The civil aerospace manufacturing sector in India is still nascent, especially in the private sector. The inherent nature of the business is high entry barriers in technology, capital investment and long cycles.
What role do you see Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky playing in the growth of this industry in India?
We have been working diligently over the last few years in developing a strong aerospace supply chain and have deployed highly successful ACE operating system in India. We have partnered with a number of leading organisations, both in manufacturing as well as engineering and design, to grow the intellectual capital in the region. Sikorsky is working closely with the Tata Group of companies in producing helicopter cabins and components in Hyderabad. Tata Advanced Materials, with whom Pratt & Whitney has a strategic relationship, is India?s sole exporter of spacecraft composites. Many more such relations are being evaluated which will strengthen our footprint in India. We delivered our first helicopter to the Maharashtra government which was priced at about $12.5 million. We are in talks with four-five other state governments for a similar deal.
What is the status of your collaborations, joint ventures and manufacturing capabilities in India?
United Technologies provides aerospace sourcing, services and engineering with partnerships throughout India. Sikorsky and Tata Advanced Systems? joint venture manufacture helicopter cabins and aerospace components, including components for S-92 cabins and other programmes. The partnership allows Indian made aerospace components to add functional value in one of the world?s most advanced helicopters. The affiliation also strengthens Sikorsky?s supply chain and extends its globalisation effort in regions where the need for rotorcraft and support is immense.
In the process, we may shift whole of our manufacturing activities from Japan in the next one year. The target is to make three cabins per annum by December 2013. By 2015-16, we will be making the first Made-in-India full-fledged helicopter. Pratt& Whitney?s partnership with Infotech Enterprises provides engineering and IT-enabled services. Tata Advanced Materials is India?s sole exporter of spacecraft composites.
What other opportunities are you looking at?
Helicopters are critical to India?s continued infrastructure development, especially for off-shore oil and gas operations. We are also looking at opportunities from hospital emergency services, helitourism, medical tourism, and many other new areas.