Hay After A Long Hover

• India sells seven Dhruv helicopters to Ecuador, marking its entry to the international aviation market
  
• Outbid giants like Eurocopter, Elbit
  
• Comes as a boost to indigenisation of India's military industrial complex.
  
• It took 20 years and Rs 1,000 crore to develop the advanced light helicopter
  
• Cheaper by 32 per cent; operational cost is $650 per hour vis-a-vis $850 per hour for comparable helicopters
  
• Peru, Bolivia likely to buy Dhruv soon

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For months, the design team along with senior HAL officials would regularly meet in Mishra's office in South Block to monitor progress. In 2006-07, the Americans had edged out the Dhruv, which came close to bagging a huge order in Chile. Similar marketing efforts almost paid off in Turkey and Malaysia. By the time the Dhruv went to Ecuador last year, the HAL team was ready with impressive performance data. Points out Mishra: "Not only was our helicopter cheaper by 32 per cent but its operational costs were 30 per cent less than the competition. While other helicopters in the similar category cost $850 per hour of flying, the Dhruv operates at $650." According to him, HAL has also managed to break through several design challenges such as developing a unique carbon fibre composite that has reduced the helicopter's weight by 50 per cent.

Having convinced Ecuador's air force, the Dhruv is close to clinching orders from Peru and Bolivia. Suddenly, South America is emerging as a market where HAL has ambitious plans. "We will set up a team there. It will not only be in a position to give good maintenance support, but will also be able to market more machines to other countries," says Baweja. Clearly, HAL is learning from past mistakes. Many years ago, it had assembled Dornier aircraft under licence and sold them to Mauritius. Poor product support, but, severely eroded the company's credibility.

However, with Dhruv, HAL seems to have a winner. It is now all set to sell 159 helicopters to the Indian armed forces. For the military establishment, long used to importing and setting up assembly-line production facilities under strict licence regimes, Dhruv is the first major step towards India's emergence as a global player in defence aviation.