HAL To Set Up Helo Maintenance Center In South America

(Aviation week) : With an eye on future sales in the region, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) plans to establish a Dhruv helicopter maintenance center in South America.
“HAL is in the process of setting up a regional maintenance center for Dhruv to cover after-sales service, technical and logistic support in the entire Latin American region,” M.M. Pallam Raju, deputy defense minister, told India’s parliament Aug. 8.
The comes amid reports of poor after-sales service and expensive spares for Dhruvs already sold to Ecuador. In 2009, India won a contract to supply the country with seven Dhruvs under a $51 million deal, and the rotorcraft were inducted into Ecuador’s air force. However, recent media reports indicate that Ecuador has expressed concern over poor support and high repair costs. The defense ministry declined to comment.
Nonetheless, Raju says HAL plans to sell the Dhruv to more South American countries. According to another defense ministry official, India is eyeing Chile and Brazil as possible customers.
The Dhruv, the flagship helicopter program at HAL, is a multirole helicopter in the 5.5-ton class. Built to FAR Part 29 airworthiness standards, it is designed to meet the requirements of both military and civil operators. HAL commenced series production of the twin-engine helicopter in 2000-01.