A rival reportedly beat out Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. for a $764 million contract to supply a dozen helicopters to the government of India, a market that Sikorsky President Jeff Pino identified as key for the manufacturer.
Stratford-based Sikorsky is the largest employer in Fairfield County with more than 9,000 workers.
At an investor conference in New York City this month, Pino indicated Sikorsky was in bids to sell more than 30 helicopters for use in India. One opportunity is apparently off the table, after the government committed to buying 12 AW101 helicopters from AgustaWestland, with the Financial Times reporting Sikorsky was also a bidder on the deal. A subsidiary of Italy-based Finmeccanica SpA, AgustaWestland reportedly will make the aircraft in the United Kingdom.
Sikorsky is in the process of relocating a helicopter-cabin manufacturing plant from Japan to India, according to multiple reports, after reaching a partnership last year with Tata Group to produce helicopter parts in India.
In February, a Sikorsky manager was quoted in an India newspaper saying the company hopes to generate at least $8 billion in business in India by 2018, and that it plans to manufacture versions of its Black Hawk helicopter in the country.
Last week, Newtown-based Forecast International predicted that Sikorsky would lead the world market in the production of medium and heavy-lift helicopters for military use.
“Sikorsky benefits from a solid business foundation of strong U.S. military procurement, as well as export sales, of Black Hawk and Naval Hawk helicopters,” said Raymond Jaworowski, senior aerospace analyst with Forecast International.
