GMR Hyderabad Aviation SEZ Ltd, a GMR Group company, on Tuesday announced conclusion of an in-principle agreement with Indian Rotorcraft Ltd to locate an AW119ke helicopter assembly and flight testing facility at the GMR Aerospace Park in Hyderabad.
The 8-seat AW119Ke is a top-of-the-range helicopter in the single engine market, with over 190 helicopters having been ordered to date in around 30 countries by more than 90 customers. The AW119Ke is suited to perform a wide range of tasks including law enforcement, utility, fire-fighting, EMS, VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport as well as military missions, a company release said.
An area of 10 acres has been allocated within the aviation-specific special economic zone of the Aero Park with an option for expansion of the current facility.
The site was selected by Indian Rotorcraft after an exhaustive process of evaluation of other potential sites in India. It will start construction after all necessary Governmental approvals are obtained. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered from the new facility in 2012.
Speaking on the development, Mr G.M. Rao, Chairman of GMR Group, said: “We are pleased to welcome Indian Rotorcraft to the GMR Hyderabad Aerospace Park. Tata Sons and AgustaWestland are leaders in their respective fields and the GMR Group takes pride in being the chosen partner to these two companies.”