Pratt and Whitney sees India as key market

Bangalore, Feb 8 (UNI) Leading aeroengine maker Pratt and Whitney is looking forward to a series of new initiatives in India, cornering a impressive chunk of the growing defence and civil aviation sector in the country.

Shying away from announcing the initaitives, Pratt and Whitney Vice-President for Commercial Engines and Services James Masotti told newspersons at the Aero India 2007 here that the company was firming up a series of deals.

It would neither confirm the announcement by HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ashok Kumar Baweja about the 500 million Dollar component order the Indian aviation major had firmed up with the Canadian arm of Pratt and Whitney. ''All that we can say is that talks are on,'' Mr Bill Begert, Vice-President for International Programmes and Business Development for Military Engines, said.

Reinforcing the company's commitment to India as a key growth market and strong technology partner for civil and defence aero power products and services, Pratt and Whitney said it was looking at various options, including facilities for maintenance and servicing of aeroengines.

UNI