Bell Helicopter is looking to expand its footprint in India and elevate the Indian content on its aircraft. Bell and sister company Textron Systems signed an agreement late last year with Dynamatic Technologies of Bangalore, India, establishing that company as the single-source supplier of major airframe assemblies for the 407GX and 407GT turbine singles. Deliveries of the 407 began in 1996, and with more than 1,200 in service it is one of Bell’s best-selling current-production helicopters.  

The seven-year deal can be extended through the production life of the helicopter and follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2012 to mutually explore business opportunities for the production of 407 airframe assemblies. Textron Systems will work cooperatively with Dynamatic and Bell Helicopter to support procurement operations in India. Both companies remain engaged in identifying more business opportunities to build on Dynamatic’s supplier capabilities as Bell Helicopter said it is looking to invest and expand operations in the region.

Dynamatic has been engaged in the development and production of airframe components and details for the 407 at its aeronautic manufacturing facilities at Dynamatic Park Peenya since December 2013. Dynamatic has already completed first article acceptance of aft fuselage detail parts and recently began production for shipment to Bell’s civil aircraft assembly site in Mirabel, Canada.

“This agreement with Dynamatic represents a significant milestone in Bell Helicopter’s global sourcing strategy and brings efficiencies to our manufacturing process for the 407,” said Mike Loeffler, Bell Helicopter vice president for supply chain. “India represents a significant growth opportunity for sales, operations and the integrated supply chain,” he said.   

Dynamatic designs and builds products for automotive, aeronautic, hydraulic and security applications. It has facilities in Europe and India, including Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore and Nasik in India; Swindon, Bristol in the UK; and Schwarzenberg, Germany.

Bell Helicopter has had a presence in India for nearly 20 years and has an office in New Delhi for business development and program operations. At the Textron India technology center in Bangalore, Bell Helicopter employs a team of engineers to support its global operations. Additionally there are two Bell Helicopter customer service facilities in the region: Deccan Charters in Bangalore and Air Works India in Mumbai. Bell Helicopter also has a dedicated full-time customer service engineer in Mumbai.