The mission, comprising of representatives from variety of US aerospace industry manufacturers and service providers, sources said, will be in India from November 9 to 13, 2009, on a tri-city visit touching down first at New Delhi, and then flying down to country’s Aviation Capital — Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Besides introducing US suppliers to end-users and vice-versa and prospective partners with matching needs and capabilities, the mission, sources said, will include one-on-one appointments and briefings in these three cities with major aerospace and aviation players. The mission will also see interaction with aerospace specialists to discuss latest developments, opportunities and sales strategies in the sector, they added.

Incidentally, the latest US’ Market of the Month – India Report, singing paeans on India, asks US companies: The world’s business is coming to India, are You? Indian market, it notes, presents lucrative and diverse opportunities for US exporters with products, services, and commitment that can meet country’s needs.

Globalisation & expansion

Further, India’s requirements for equipment and services for major sectors including defense will exceed tens of billions of dollars in medium-term and as Indian economy globalises and expands, there is growing trend in utilising US expertise.

It notes that besides other sectors, best prospects in India includes aerospace and defense sector which ranks among world’s most dynamic with airlines in India in the process of buying over 300 aircraft between 2007 and 2012. India is also a large and growing annual market for air defense equipment, especially for US suppliers seeking joint-venture opportunities, estimated at $3-4 billion.  US companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, should consider approaching India’s market on local level. Market entry options include subsidiary relationship, joint venture with an Indian partner, or using a liaison, project, or branch office, it observes.

For, with Indian civil and defence aerospace sector’s new product requirements and replacement needs expected to cost about $15-20 billion over next 3-5 years, Indian market is particularly promising for US suppliers seeking joint-venture opportunities, it adds. Sources said with Indian aerospace companies evolving as serious players in global market, the opportunity for new and renewed relationship with Indian firms bring added benefit through additional sales with other aerospace companies doing business in India. The main mission goals include introduciung US companies to joint-venture groups, industry representatives, original equipment manufacturers in India, and meet up with government officials to learn about various aerospace programme opportunities. Specifically, in Bangalore, sources said, during the mission’s three-day visit, besides meetings with HAL, Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies & Industries, one-on-one match making between individual mission delegates, and plant tours of Goodrich Aerospace, Tata Advanced Materials, Taneja Aerospace & Titan Industries.