Eurocopter, a division of aerospace and defence major EADS, has announced the creation of a new fully-owned subsidiary, Eurocopter Indonesia.

Eurocopter, which made the announcement at the IndoDefence 2008, said the  move is in line with its strategy to be a multi-local player with its own facilities in all its key markets.

The setting-up of Eurocopter Indonesia, would bring the number of subsidiaries of the pan-European group to a total of 18 worldwide and improve the group's presence in Asia-Pacific, where it currently has 6 subsidiaries in Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore.

Eurocopter has been present in Indonesia for over 30 years through a partnership with PTDI, which began in 1976, with the licensed manufacturing of 118 BO 105 helicopters. The cooperation was followed in the 1980s by a full licensed production of 11 Puma SA330 and 19 Super Puma AS332 helicopters.

In October 2008, Eurocopter and PTDI signed once again a partnership agreement, which aims to set up a local assembly line for the manufacturing of Super Puma MK helicopter airframes.

Based in Jakarta, the subsidiary will have 70–100 employees by end of 2009. The subsidiary has been given charge of all sales and customer support activities in Indonesia, in cooperation with PTDI for the governmental operators.

Eurocopter at present holds a 50 per cent market share in the civil and military markets in Indonesia with a total Eurocopter fleet close to 150, ranging from Lama or BO105 to the most advanced EC155 or Super Puma AS332.

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is the world's No 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover exceeding 4 billion euros, orders for 802 new helicopters, and a 53 per cent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.

The Eurocopter Group employs around 14,000 people. In 2007, The group's products accounted for 30 per cent of the total world helicopter fleet.

Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.