By Jay Menon jaymenon68@gmail.com
Source: AWIN
First
May
02 , 2012
The
Eurocopter AS 350 Fennec and Russian Kamov 226 Sergei are in the running for
the requirement, a program expected to be worth more than $1.5 billion.
In
2007, the defense ministry canceled a previous deal with Eurocopter for RSHs
following allegations that bidders had failed to follow competition guidelines.
A new request for proposals was issued in 2008, and the flight tests of the two
helos in the race were completed in December 2010.
“The
finance department has not raised objections regarding the trial process for
selection,” Defense Minister A.K. Antony says.
“The
proposed helos will be used by the army and the air force to replace their
aging fleet of vintage Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, which are critical for
providing supplies to troops deployed in Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest
battlefield, and other high-altitude areas,” a senior defense ministry official
says.
Chetak
is a single-engine turboshaft, light utility French helicopter able to carry
six passengers or a 500-kg (1,100-lb.) load. The anti-tank version carries four
AS-11 wire-guided missiles. It has a maximum speed of 220 kph (140 mph).
Cheetah
is a single-engine helicopter of French origin able to carry three passengers
or a 100-kg external sling load. It has a maximum cruise speed of 121 kph and
can climb to 1 km (3,280 ft.) in 4 min.
The
air force continues to fly armed Chetaks on anti-tank-role missions, as well as
for casualty evacuation and general duties, while the lighter Cheetah is used
as an airborne forward air control node in close proximity to enemy troops and
armor.
It
is estimated that of the 197 helicopters to be procured, the army will get 133
and the air force 54. The two forces need a total of 384 choppers, of which 197
will be supplied by foreign vendors; the rest will be co-developed by Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd. with a foreign manufacturer.
Meanwhile, the proposal for procurement of a
basic trainer aircraft for the air force is awaiting consideration by India ’s Cabinet Committee on Security, Antony Antony
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