The US helicopter giant Bell Helicopters has opted to pull out of the $ 750 million tender to provide 197 helicopters to India. The move was taken after Bell Helicopters carefully scrutinized the offset policy of India, which requires the winning firm to invest 50 per cent in to the Indian defence industry.
Interestingly, it was Bell Helicopters who had raised objections regarding the choice of Eurocopter in previous bid trials. Since Eurocopter was the only contender, there were allegations of a lack of transparency leading to the Indian government announcing a re-bid of the entire programme in late 2007. The latest move of withdrawal by Bell Helicopters from the programme has been due to the very high offset obligations.
The $ 750 million helicopter deal had five major aerospace giants in the fray including: Eurocopter with its AS 550 Fennec; Bell Helicopters with its Bell 407; Russia with Kamov for its Ka-226; the Franco-Italian consortium’s Augusta (which is prepared to offer either the Augusta A109 Power or the A 119 Koala) and McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems with its MD 520N. Weighing less than three tonnes when armed, these multi-role, light turbine helicopters will replace the 1970s vintage Chetak and Cheetah helicopters operated by the Army Aviation Corps and the Air Force.
The new helicopters will be put to various tasks including reconnaissance and observation, casualty evacuation, electronic warfare, escort duties, anti-insurgency operations and injecting and extricating personnel from the battlefield. The helicopter deal is part of India’s modernisation programme which will see the Army eventually receiving 197 helicopters and the Air Force getting 188.
Of the 197 helicopters, which are to be bought in a fly away condition and via knock down kits, 133 are for the Army, while 64 will be delivered to the Air Force. The minimum numbers of helicopters to be inducted will be 30 per year, beginning 24 months after the contract is signed.
A total of 384 helicopters are being procured for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. Of these, the current tender is for the purchase of 197 helicopters off-the-shelf. The remaining 187 would be manufactured in India, under technology transfer, by the state-run Hindustan Aerospace Limited [HAL] according to the Indian defence ministry official.
The offset obligations to the vendor are set at 50 per cent wherein the vendor must source defence-related goods and services to the value of 50 per cent of the deal from Indian companies. The entire process is expected to be completed by mid – 2010. The Indian government wants to acquire the helicopters on a fast-track basis by December this year. According to a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official, The Ministry of Defence will evaluate technical bids and the trials are expected to run from February 2009.
The technical parameters of the helicopter includes its capability to operate in temperatures ranging from minus 35 degrees Celsius to plus 50 degrees Celsius. The helicopter may be powered by a single or a twin engine and the basic empty weight of the helicopter should not exceed 2000 kilograms. The helicopter must have an in-service life of 30 years and there must be no less than 3000 hours flying time on the clock before any major overhaul is conducted.
The IAF official added that “One of the crucial technical specifications for the helicopters is that they all must have provision to fit three axes auto pilot systems”.
The weaponry of the helicopter will include rocket pods, anti-tank missiles, flare and chaff dispensers. Besides, the helicopter should be transportable in India’s Russian made IL-76 transport aircraft.
As part of the operational characteristics the helicopter must be able to carry at least two pilots, four passengers, and an internal load of 500 kilograms. As the new helicopters will also be used for high altitude operations, the helicopters should be able to take off from a helipad at six kilometres altitude.
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