Abingdonboy
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Of course it isn't feasible bro- the IN (or rather the MoD) needs to pull its finger out and get helos (of all classes) inducted ASAP. I've expressed my dismay countless times of the pathetic scenerio the IN currently finds itself in- $1BN USD destroyers sailing with 50% of their aviation complement or empty hangers entirely and those assets are, at best, 30 year old moderately upgraded Sea Kings. This is beyond unacceptable.I need a honest opinion here.. if suppose IN goes for the 4 LHD as per the old tender RFI, do you think it will be feasible to have 4 mini ACC with helos of almost 35 tonnes as defined by RFI when our rest of naval fleet does not have enough helos..
The S70B will come but in limited numbers and our requirement is much much larger... Where do you see the LPD/LHD to fit in? i see a probable 1 for A&N ops other than that already if plan is for 5 CBGs do we still require 4 LHD/LPD?
The total requirements for helos by the IN is immense in the N-LUH class, <10 ton class and 10-12 ton- this is well over 150 helos and this is for the IMMEDIATE to very short term requirements (ie by 2020). If you throw in 4xLHD the requirement is going to increase substantially.
The S-70B deal will be signed this year but this is but a small victory (almost negligable in the grand scheme of things) with only 16+8 units to be ordered. To be honest this deal itself has drsgged on so long it has effectviely become irrelevent becuase it won't do much to satisfy the IN's mammoth need.
The numbers are so large MII is required for all 3 classes- I'm not sure who will win the N-LUH (that procurement is almost nonexsistent from what I can see, other than a RFP years ago what has become of it?) the 10 ton class clearly should/would go to S-70B and Sikorsky are more than happy to create a production line in India for this type if the numbers make it economically feasible (and if the IN stops this dumba$$ Indian Mil strategy of small tranche purchases this will be the case). And the 12 ton class should go to AIrbus Military for the EC725 AND if the MoD is smart they will pool the requirements of the ICG (already trialed this type and seemingly selected it), IN, maybe the IAF (they have looked at the EC725 for their dedicated CSAR requirements) and in the long term the IA (Airbus Military have said themselves the IA has stated they need 150 of this class) and have a MASSIVE order placed.
Anyway, the LHDs seem to be on the backburner for now and I think this is the right decsion- they can wait 2-3 years whilst some other projects get off the ground. This changes none of the above though.