After MMRCA, India opens bids for $2 billion attack-hellicopter deal.

[insas91]

India invites bids for $2 bln in helicopter deals​

Tue May 26, 2009 2:52pm EDT Email | Print | Share| Reprints | Single Page[-] Text [+]

NEW DELHI, May 26 (Reuters) - India has invited bids for two separate defence projects worth more than $2 billion to arm its air force, a defence official and the country head of Boeing Co (BA.N) said on Monday.

The Indian Air Force is seeking 22 attack helicopters and at least 15 heavy-lift helicopters as it plans to replace its aging Soviet-era fleet with modern weapon systems.

"Boeing has received the Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the attack and heavylift helicopters and will review the requirements," Vivek Lall, India country head of Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), told Reuters on Monday.

The two RFPs were issued on Sunday and Monday, days after a new Congress-led coalition government was sworn in.

The government said it would prioritise defence and push forward pending projects to modernise its armed forces.

India is looking to spend more than $30 billion over the next five years to modernise its defence systems.

"We hope to hear from bidders soon on the two projects and speed up the procurement process," a defence ministry spokesman said.

Last June, India asked seven international companies to submit bids for supplying 22 attack helicopters, but the government cancelled the tender this March, saying the bidders did not meet requirements.

Boeing, which did not respond to that RFP for attack helicopters due to technical reasons, said it was keen to offer its Apache AH-64 helicopters this time around.

Separately, Boeing said it was also reviewing the other RFP to supply at least 15 heavy-lift helicopters to the air force.

Lall says the U.S. plane maker was interested in offering its Chinook CH-47 to India.

"We believe that Boeing's Apache and Chinook can provide the Indian Air Force with the most capable, proven and versatile platforms in their respective class," Lall said in New Delhi on Monday.

India will also soon hold field trials for the purchase of 126 fighter planes in a $10.4 billion contract that is one of the world's biggest current arms deals.

Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, France's Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin Corp's (LMT.N) F-16, Russia's MiG-35, Sweden's Saab (SAABb.ST) JAS-39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon, produced by a consortium of British, German, Italian and Spanish companies, are in the race for the lucrative fighter contract. (Editing by Tim Dobbyn)

.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2650152920090526

 

[insas91]

Mighty India is getting mightier. Mumbai attacks by Pakistan, actually helped us to scale up our military power, and thereby widening gaps even more.

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

Mighty India is getting mightier. Mumbai attacks by Pakistan, actually helped us to scale up our military power, and thereby widening gaps even more.

Mate this particular RFP has nothing to do with Mumbai Attack..The originial (First one and cancelled) RFP was floated in May 2008...much before mumbai attack.

 

[insas91]

Mate this particular RFP has nothing to do with Mumbai Attack..The originial (First one and cancelled) RFP was floated in May 2008...much before mumbai attack.

I'm sure just like several other projects, this one too owuld have been delayed. Mumbai attacks helped straighten up the government, and take notice of the mindless enemy.

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

I'm sure just like several other projects, this one too owuld have been delayed. Mumbai attacks helped straighten up the government, and take notice of the mindless enemy.

Not delayed..but was cancelled. I suggest you read this...

India's cancelled attack helicopter tender raises more questions - Asian Skies

 

[King Julien]

what's with the LCH?

 

[sancho]

what's with the LCH?

An attack helicopter build by HAL:

HAL Light Combat Helicopter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Keysersoze]

Insas I suggest you wind your neck in. Your type do not last long here.

 

[King Julien]

An attack helicopter build by HAL:

HAL Light Combat Helicopter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

i do know about the program.....
my question is when we are rolling out lch this august; then why do we need to include this attack helicopter in the tender????

 

[tyagi]

they are going to order Apache AH-64

 

[indiatech]

It was not the only deal cancelled by defence minister AK Anthony in his last term some others include 197 helicopter tender,bofors tender,
light chopper,155 self propelled artillery,anti material rifles, snow scooters for siachen etc.

Now 80+ orders are reduced this time to 42. Seems like there is a very high confidence being developed on the possible success of LCH based on Dhruv platform.

Waiting desperately to see the LCH fly.

 

[sancho]

i do know about the program.....
my question is when we are rolling out lch this august; then why do we need to include this attack helicopter in the tender????

As far as I know IAF first wanted around 80 attack helicopters and was about to make a tender for it. Then HAL said we can build an indigenous one based on Dhruv. But as many project in India LCH is a bit delayed and we have to replace 20 Mi 35, so this tender is mainly to replace them and to serve alongside LCH.
The fact that the Hind is a heavy attack helicopter will make it difficult for the other light helicopters in the tender like the Eurocopter Tiger. The Apache and maybe one of the Russian seems to be the best choice, without competing LCH too much.

It was not the only deal cancelled by defence minister AK Anthony in his last term some others include 197 helicopter tender

Is the tender of 197 light helicopter really cancelled? Can you give me a link?
I read that IN and IA also needs some and HAL has joint the copmetition with LOH and it could be up to 400 helicopter now.

HAL Light Observation Helicopter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[blain2]

Mighty India is getting mightier. Mumbai attacks by Pakistan, actually helped us to scale up our military power, and thereby widening gaps even more.

There is no widening of the gap. These deals have to materialize and even if they do, things on the other side do not remain static. Our plans are in line with the deterrence that we feel is appropriate and our purchases will ensure that we keep the same level regardless of whatever India purchases.

 

[blain2]

I'm sure just like several other projects, this one too owuld have been delayed. Mumbai attacks helped straighten up the government, and take notice of the mindless enemy.

None of these systems are aimed at a "mindless" enemy. For that you need to spend money on your IS. Not on conventional weaponry.

 

[sob]

First tender out for attack helicopters, US giants can now bid too

This time around, sources said, the contract has been modified to include the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route of purchase so that both Bell and Boeing can participate. This has been done by doing away with the clause which stipulated that only the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) can take part in the tender.

This is a very clear indication on the Helicopter that will be selected by the IAF.

The earlier requirement of 50 per cent offsets for the deal has also been modified and the winning contender will now need to invest 30 per cent of the contract value in the Indian defence sector.

I hope that this does not for a precedent for the MRCA Deal.