|
The television images
of Saudi commandos dropping off a KV 107IIA helicopter in their
dramatic rooftop assault to free hostages from terrorists has
underscored the importance of rotary wing aircraft in the Middle East
region. The current security scenario with its focus on anti-terrorist
operations has made helicopters the airborne asset of choice for
close-in quick reaction operations.
Expectedly, defense
forces in the
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are looking more closely at
helicopters as the preferred vehicle for troop and equipment transport,
stealth operations, night assaults on terrorist hideouts as well as
search and rescue, VIP transport and as air ambulances.
The utility value
and convenience of helicopter operation seem to far outweigh their
disadvantages. As a result, the helicopter industry is buoyant about
the MENA market. IDEXNEWS.COM asked Mike Cox, spokesperson, Bell
Helicopter Textron about the market prospects for helicopters in the
MENA region. This is what he had to say, “We see a very bright future
for our medium helicopter product lines. In addition, we see an increase
in the number of light twin helicopters that will be entering the
market”.
Key
Middle East
Helicopter acquisition programmes
|
Country |
RfP/order |
Quantity |
Details |
| Oman |
NH-90 (by Eurocopter) |
20 |
Oman seek
replacements for Bell 212 & 412s |
| Oman |
Super Lynx 300 |
16 |
Delivery
continue |
| Jordan |
UH-60L BLACK
HAWK by Sikorsky |
8 |
For EMS, armed
helicopter support, Search and Rescue and Special Operations
uses |
| Yemen |
Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopter |
12 |
Contract to
be
concluded |
| South Africa |
NH-90 |
10 |
formal
proposal to be submitted |
Source: Defense World, helicopter
manufacturers
Helicopter market
buoyant in Middle East
“Decidedly, helicopters are in vertical climb mode as far as the Middle
East is concerned. In the next few years, this activity will range from
news acquisitions, add-on features such as night vision goggles
integration, guided missiles and on board terrain-mapping capability
besides medium life upgrades to the airframe and engines, says a 2003
Front and Sullivan report which goes on to predict that the market for
helicopters in the Middle East is estimated at $14.5 billion during
2003-2012. Demand for military helicopters will be maximum from the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) countries followed by Jordan, Egypt, Iran and
Iraq.
Frost and Sullivan predicts that the future thrust will be on
multi-role helicopters rather than pure-play military helicopters. “V.I.P. transport, ambulance, equipment and troop carrier besides a
fighting machine capable of providing close-in support to ground forces
or naval vessels are likely to swell the order books of helicopter
manufacturers”. Helicopters which are flexible enough to switch between
roles at short notice will be more in demand than choppers dedicated to
specific mission profiles.
|
