The light military helicopter market will see annual production generally head downward during the next 15 years, as manufacturers will build 165 light military helicopters in 2014 and 166 in 2015, Forecast International analysts say.
A total of 1,495 light military aircraft will be produced from 2014 through 2028, worth $23.6 billion, analysts say. Forecast International defines a military helicopter as light when it has a maximum gross weight of less than 15,000 pounds.
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Among the reasons for the anticipated dropoff in military light helicopter manufacturing is reduced defense spending for many nations around the world.
"Ongoing rotorcraft procurement programs are being stretched out, reduced in size and scope, or even canceled altogether," says Raymond Jaworowski, senior aerospace analysts at Forecast International. "At the same time, very few new-start programs have emerged that would help keep production rates up."
North America and Europe are the two largest geographic markets for light military helicopters. Niche opportunities for light military helicopter sales over the next 15 years will exist in the Middle East, Latin America, and much of Asia, analysts say.
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Europe's Airbus Helicopters in Marignane, France, will be the leading light military helicopter manufacturer during the 2014-2028 forecast period, analysts say. Airbus Helicopters is projected to produce 431 such helicopters, worth $7.4 billion, during the period.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in Bangalore, India, is projected to build 278 units during the timeframe, while Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas, is expected to produce 269 units. Forecast International analysts say.
For more information contact Forecast International online at www.forecastinternational.com.
