Light military helicopter market to decline over the next 15 years, says Forecast International
NEWTOWN, Conn., 13 Nov. 2014. Rotorcraft manufacturers throughout the world will build 208 light military helicopters in 2016, but that production level will fall to only 55 light military helicopters by 2028, report analysts at market researcher Forecast International in Newtown, Conn.
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.
Related: Army asks EADS to provide six UH-72A light utility helicopters and aircraft data radios
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.
Related: Boeing gets production capacity in place to build 24 AH-6I light helicopter gunships
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.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
