Welcome back to India Defence Online...If you haven't done so yet, subscribe to the RSS feed as it will save you a lot of time. Thanks for following the site!
On March 8th, the Indian Defence Minister, A K Antony, informed the parliament that contracts have been signed for the procurement of Advanced Light Helicopter from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Medium Lift Helicopters from Rosoboronexport, Russia, and Helicopters for VVIP transportation from Agusta Westland, UK.
In addition, cases for procurement of additional Medium Lift Helicopters, Attack Helicopters, Light Utility Helicopters, Heavy Lift Helicopters and Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopters from various vendors are being processed. All these procurements are based on operational requirements framed by the Indian Air Force. The expenditure on the procurements will be known only after the commercial proposals are opened.
India has decided to buy only 197 helicopters from overseas and buy another 187 light helicopters from Bangalore based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). In principle, The Indian government had decided to buy 384 helicopters for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, last month.
In fact, the number of Helos also include the re-bid of 197 helicopters from the Indian Army, in which Eurocopter had emerged as the front runner, but following complaints from Bell Helicopters of the United States, the tender was re-bid.
The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force urgently need to replace the aging Cheetah and Chetek helicopters, which are already flying over their requisite hours of flying. These are the only helicopters available with the Indian Air Force for operations in the high battle zones of Jammu and Kashmir State.
HAL will set up special facilities to manufacture light helicopters and the government will provide funds to the tune of around $100 million. Details of how HAL will set up the Light Helicopter facilities are not known, but sources in the Indian defence ministry say HAL will collaborate with overseas Defence majors in the development of the Light Helicopters.
Sources also say that the initial requirement of only the Indian Army will be bought from outright purchase, while the needs of the Indian Air Force will be met from home-grown Helos.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
