GMR inks deal with Indian Rotorcraft Ltd for

Hyderabad, Feb 8 (PTI) The GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZLtd., a GMR Group company, today announced that it has reachedan in-principle agreement with Indian Rotorcraft Ltd to locatean AW119ke helicopter assembly and flight testing facility atthe GMR Aerospace Park here.

Indian Rotorcraft Ltd is a joint venture (JV) betweenTata Sons Ltd and AgustaWestland, Italy-based FinmeccanicaS.p.A

The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered from thenew facility in 2012.

The eight-seat AW119Ke is a top-of-the-range helicopterin the single engine market and over 190 AW119 helicoptershave been ordered to date in around 30 countries by more than90 customers, a GMR statement said.

An area of 10 acres has been allocated within theaviation specific SEZ of the Aero Park with an option forfuture expansion of the current facility or in order toestablish new capabilities, it said.

Indian Rotorcraft Ltd will commence construction afterall necessary Governmental approvals are obtained.

The AW119Ke assembly line, the first of its kind inprivate sector in India will provide remarkable industrialopportunities in the aerospace sector in India and will enablethe company to play an increasing role in the development ofthe Indian helicopter market, GMR said.

GMR Group Chairman G M Rao, said "We are pleased towelcome Indian Rotorcraft to the GMR Hyderabad Aerospace Park.

Tata Sons and AgustaWestland are leaders in their respectivefields and the GMR Group takes pride in being the chosenpartner to these two eminent companies."

The AW119Ke is ideally suited to perform a wide range oftasks including law enforcement, utility, fire-fighting, EMS,VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport as well asmilitary missions.