Bangalore, Feb 1 (IANS) Aerospace firm Cassidian of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. (EADS) Friday appointed its Indian arm chief executive Peter Gutsmiedl as the first head of its Asia-Pacific operations, keeping in view the growth potential in the region.

"As India plays a strategic role for us and continues to be our main focus in Asia, we plan to increase our industrial footprint in the sub-continent and tap the growth potential in the region," Cassidian global chief executive Bernhard Gerwert said in a statement here.

The new appointment also reflects a realignment of the company's business in the region as a sequel to its newly integrated sales and international operations division to tap growth opportunities worldwide spanning Asia-Pacific, Americas and Europe and Middle East & Africa, he said.

"Gutsmiedl (55) has been instrumental in positioning Cassidian for a long-term partnership with India. He is the right choice for strengthening our reach in other Asian markets, while building on our established Indian base," Gerwert said.

Besides combat aircraft opportunities, the $5.8-billion Cassidian sees potential in the areas of professional mobile radio, avionics for fighter aircraft and helicopters, radar/electronic warfare systems and border control systems and infrastructure in the region.

"Our Indian operations will be a springboard for sustained growth in the region. Capabilities at our engineering centre in Bangalore enable us to customise products, giving a competitive edge to leverage and target other markets in the region," Gutsmiedl said.

As regional hub, the Bangalore facility will be a part of the company's global value chain with its 60 Indian engineers engaged in a range of projects.

"We are also in consultation with the (state-run) Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) for any role in its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas project and the indigenous Airborne Early Warning & Control Radar (AEW&C) system," Gutsmiedl added.

The company's Indian subsidiary was recently awarded the globally recognised aerospace industry quality certification EN/AS 9100.

A two decades Cassidian veteran, Gutsmiedl played a key role in the success of its programmes related to Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado, Euro Hawk and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).

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Gutsmiedl to head European aerospace firm in Asia-Pacific