Indian chopper order may save 4000 UK jobs

LONDON: The huge order for VVIP helicopters from Agusta Westland could save upto 4,000 jobs in the company's British manufacturing base.

Agusta Westland reportedly beat US helicopter-maker, Sikorsky to secure the prestigious Indian order. The AW101 had also been selected to replace the ageing US Presidential fleet, but absorption of this was postponed on cost consideration. Westland is bidding again for the White House acquisition.

On Thursday, Agusta Westland officially announced an order worth Euro 560 million placed with it by the Air Force for 12 AW101 or Merlin helicopters with a reputation for high levels of safety for use by the President, Prime Minister and other VIPs. Most of these, made by the manufacturing base in Yeovil, about 250 km from London, will be delivered by 2013. The story was broken in TOI’s Thursday edition.

“This is very good news for British jobs,” Howard Wheeldon, an analyst in London said. It was also boon for the recession-hit Labour government of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who face an election in less than two months.

While continuing to furnish updated versions of Sea Kings to the Navy, Westland has, in the past four years, sold 30 commercial helicopters in India.