January 30, 2013: With the Airbus A330 MRTT win in India's tanker competition, EADS will be riding into Aero India with a long-missed feel good factor coursing through its veins—the win comes after a string of disappointments in India, particularly last years loss of the Eurofighter in the MMRCA competition. In a statement, the company says, "Airbus Military is promoting its very successful C295/C235 transport aircraft in India for future competitions. Airbus Military also is the manufacturer of the A400M military transport aircraft, a heavy airlifter which on the long term could provide ideal capabilities for a country like India."

EADS subsidiary Cassidian also has long-term plans it will detail at Aero India. "In the past few years, Cassidian created several partnerships with organizations such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) which build a solid basis to expand the cooperation with Indian aerospace and defence companies. India plays a key role in Cassidian's globalization strategy. Our presence there has now been firmly established. As a next step, Cassidian is starting to build on its Indian base to strengthen its reach in other Asian markets," the company says. EADS' rotorcraft subsidiary Eurocopter enters India at a tentative time: On the one hand, for the 3rd consecutive year, Eurocopter India leads the Indian helicopter market with a market share of 43% in terms of registered deliveries. On the other, it continues to anxiously await a decision in the long delayed reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter (RSH) competition that could see it, if it wins, supply 197 AS550 C3 Fennec choppers to the Indian Army and IAF. The company will also be showcasing its AS565 N3+ Panther chopper on offer to the Indian Navy and Coastguard.