Thursday, February 17 2005 18:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: India is wooing Latin American countries to sell its home-grown advanced light helicotper, Dhruv, and has received positive feedback from Chile and Peru.

The State-run aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) show-cased Dhruv and organised a flight demonstration of the helicopter to Ambassadors of Latin American countries in Bangalore this afternoon (Feb 17, 2005).

Dhruv is a multi-role, multi-mission helicopter with a price tag of between Rs 32 crore and Rs 40 crore. HAL has manufactured 32 such helicopters and delivered to IAF, Army, Navy and Coast Guard.

Besides, two helicopters have been sold to Nepal, while one has been exported to Israel on a lease arrangement.

A K Saxena, Managing Director of HAL's Bangalore Complex, said Latin America, Asia-Pacific region and the Middle-East are being targeted for selling Dhruv.

Already, HAL had taken Dhruv to Chile for evaluation and company officials are confident that country would buy before long.

"Chile has not yet given the order, they are evaluating various types of helicopters. But we stand the best chance, in my opinion", he said.