MOSCOW, September 29 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Helicopters company said on Tuesday it has invited India to participate in a number of joint projects and investment programs, including the assembly and sales of civilian helicopters.
"The Russian Helicopters holding considers the Indian market as the most prospective for joint business development. According to our estimates, the demand for civilian helicopters on the Indian market will grow to 200 aircraft by 2020," Andrei Shibitov, the company's general director told a Russian-Indian business meeting in Moscow.
The official said the offer to India included the assembly and sales of Ansat and Ka-226T helicopters, setting up servicing centers in India, and joint development and production of new-generation helicopters.
Shibitov said both Ansat and Ka-226T are light helicopters, which could be used for passenger and cargo transport, search-and-rescue, firefighting and patrol purposes. The estimated investment in this project is about $145 million and the return is expected in 5-7 years.
Another area of cooperation, according to Shibitov, could be joint development of a fast multipurpose civilian helicopter with high fuel efficiency and noise reduction.
"The development cost is estimated at up to $4.3 billion, but the sales could reach over $29 bln," the official said.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov said on Monday that despite falling exports amid slumping energy prices, bilateral trade with India had been on the rise in the past few years and could reach $10 bln in 2010.
