Aero India: Airbus pushing aggressively for more contracts

Bangalore, Feb 9: Big players want to cash in at the Aero India 2013 as the weekend saw huge turnout at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore on Saturday. Leading the pack is Airbus which wants to sell its C295 military transport aircraft to India.

The C-295 is a twin-engined Spanish-built tactical transport aircraft designed to carry 71 people or nine tonnes of cargo. Airbus is also optimistic about finalising a contract to sell Airbus aerial refueling tankers that allow fighter jets to be in sky for longer duration.

Last month it had beaten a stiff competition from Russia to supply six A330 aerial refueling tankers to India worth $1.25 billion.

Meanwhile, its A400M model military transport and heavy cargo plane, developed at a cost of 20 billion euros, has been hit by a five-year delay and cost overruns that led to a multinational bailout. Airbus, a unit of European aerospace group EADS, has begun low-level discussions aimed at promoting the aircraft to India and hopes eventually to sell it to the United States.

Airbus lost a $35 billion contest in 2011 to supply aerial tankers to the U.S. Air Force after a major duel with Boeing.

Analysts say the company is betting that recently launched plans to open a commercial jet assembly plant in Alabama will create both the industrial base and political support needed to support sales of aircraft to the US military in the future.

"Sarang” performs during the 3rd day

IAF Aerobatic team "Sarang" performs during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru on Friday.

"Russian Knights" performs during the 3rd day

Russian Aerobatic team "Russian Knights" performs during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru on Friday.

Visitors having a look of parked aircrafts

Visitors having a look of parked aircrafts during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru on Friday.

"Russian Knights" performs during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013

Russian Aerobatic team "Russian Knights" performs during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru on Friday.

SU27 planes present a show

SU27 planes present a show during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru on Friday.

"Russian Knights" performs during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013

Russian Aerobatic team "Russian Knights" performs during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru on Friday.

Flying Bulls Zlin 50LX single-engine

Flying Bulls Zlin 50LX single-engine and single-seater aerobatic display team from the Czech Republic performs during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru on Friday.

Flying Bulls Zlin 50LX single-engine

Flying Bulls Zlin 50LX single-engine and single-seater aerobatic display team from the Czech Republic performs during the 3rd day of Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru on Friday.

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