Eurocopter writes to Army Chief Gen V K Singh over delays in chopper deal

[God of Death]

Eurocopter writes to Army Chief Gen V K Singh over delays in chopper deal

NEW DELHI: Expressing "concern" over delays in finalising the deal for procuring 197 light helicopters for the defence forces, European defence major Eurocopter has written a letter to Army chief Gen V K Singh in that regard.

The European Eurocopter AS 350 Fennec is competing with Russian Kamov 226 'Sergei' for supplying these choppers to the Indian Army and Air Force in a project expected to be worth over $1.5 billion.

The choppers will be used by the Army and the IAF to replace their aging fleet of vintage Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, which are critical for providing supplies to troops deployed in Siachen Glacier and other high altitude areas.

"We take this opportunity to express our concern regarding the time frame for the very important programme, for which the RFP was issued in July 2008.

"The technical evaluation process has now taken over 38 months and has not yet been concluded due to reasons which are unknown to us," Eurocopter told the Army Chief in the letter.

The previous attempt of the armed forces to find a replacement of these choppers could not be successful in 2007 after the Defence Ministry withdrew the tender which Eurocopter had won.

"We hope that this program after so many years will soon be successfully concluded and we would be proud to contribute to the self-reliance of Indian armed forces," it added.

The trials of two helicopters in the race were completed in December 2010 and the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) submitted the trial reports to the Defence Ministry after that.

The report was accepted by the ministry in October last year and was approved by the Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) for the project only last month.

Eurocopter writes to Army Chief Gen V K Singh over delays in chopper deal - The Economic Times

 

[IndoUS]

I am for the Eurocopter, delays are a part of the Indian MoD and Army's procurement process so not really surprised by it. Hope they sign the deal before the year end.

 

[harpoon]

Beautywise Eurocopter wins.

 

[Splurgenxs]

^^what!!!?=__=

This is a clear case of "Ghar ki Murgi dal brabar"

 

[nomi007]

Eurocopter AS 350 Fennec very good helo
Pakistan have 40+ of these and our army is satisfied with them
but Indian army want special variant

 

[God of Death]

Eurocopter AS 350 Fennec very good helo
Pakistan have 40+ of these and our army is satisfied with them
but Indian army want special variant

Yes, we want the best and latest.

And 200 (197) helicopters now and can raise the numbers in future.

 

[harpoon]

^^what!!!?=__=

This is a clear case of "Ghar ki Murgi dal brabar"

I had to google to get the meaning...but just look at it:

 

[sherindian]

what the fuckkkkk man. y r they going for eurocopter. man i want them to build their own.

 

[Tshering22]

The Ka-226 is more multirole and is leading the contest. It is bound to win with that kind of adaptability. Army is not looking for aesthetics; it is looking for adaptability that Ka-226 offers. Just search for the Helo in YouTube. It is an AWESOME helicopter.

 

[harpoon]

The Ka-226 is more multirole and is leading the contest. It is bound to win with that kind of adaptability. Army is not looking for aesthetics; it is looking for adaptability that Ka-226 offers. Just search for the Helo in YouTube. It is an AWESOME helicopter.

Yeah I saw it.Ka 226 is like a lego set. Can change from one role to another in just 2 hours, but not sure if IA is looking forward to buy the different interchangeable pods.

 

[sancho]

Yes, we want the best and latest.

And 200 (197) helicopters now and can raise the numbers in future.

But that would mean lower numbers for HALs LUH and the aim is to procure pretty much the same numbers, with the main difference, that the one is a proven foreign design, while the other is a new indigenous development. The best choice would be, if both would have as much commonality as possible and I think that's where the Fennec has the best chances, because besides avionics an weapons, even the engines "could" be the same. But that might also be the reason for the delays, since Turbomecca wanted too much money for the smaller Shakti engine and if MoD really will issue a new tender for HALs LUH, things will be delayed even longer.

P.S. The only point to increase the numbers of Fennecs would be, to buy some for IN as well, since they have to replace their older Cheetals and Chetaks too and the Fennec has a naval varient too. But as we know our forces and MoD, instead of combining these procurements and ease things, IN will open a new competition and MoD won't do anyting against it.

 

[SQ8]

Yeah I saw it.Ka 226 is like a lego set. Can change from one role to another in just 2 hours, but not sure if IA is looking forward to buy the different interchangeable pods.

It definitely comes with certain compromises in the airframe.

 

[Tshering22]

Yeah I saw it.Ka 226 is like a lego set. Can change from one role to another in just 2 hours, but not sure if IA is looking forward to buy the different interchangeable pods.

197 is a huge deal mate. Remember what happened to my state in last year's earthquake? Chetaks and Cheetahs were in big trouble to evacuate stranded people in mountains. If that kind of shyte happens (heavens forbid!), we need something like Ka-226 BADLY.

Chetaks cannot take it anymore and if someone is grievously injured during some disaster, we cannot make him or her sit beside the pilot or make the victim uncomfortable and in pain with the cramped place in Chetaks or Cheetahs. Ka-226 is the need of the hour.

I too was not really pleased with the looks but looking at how effective the Russian deal is, I have a feeling that Kamov will easily win this one.

---------- Post added at 10:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 PM ----------

It definitely comes with certain compromises in the airframe.

We're not looking for armed role for these anyway. They will be on duties like scouting, SAR and deployment in hostile terrains. The coaxial rotors are deadly steady in harsh winds. And the price they offer is amazing.

 

[SamantK]

It definitely comes with certain compromises in the airframe.

According to you which is better even with the compromises?

 

[Tshering22]

But that would mean lower numbers for HALs LUH and the aim is to procure pretty much the same numbers, with the main difference, that the one is a proven foreign design, while the other is a new indigenous development. The best choice would be, if both would have as much commonality as possible and I think that's where the Fennec has the best chances, because besides avionics an weapons, even the engines "could" be the same. But that might also be the reason for the delays, since Turbomecca wanted too much money for the smaller Shakti engine and if MoD really will issue a new tender for HALs LUH, things will be delayed even longer.

Not really... We need a total of 385+ helos out of which 197 are foreign made. Remaining all are LOHs. Fennec is pretty effective but it is nowhere close to the Sergei in multi-mode capabilities. That's a huge selling point to the armed forces. Especially with a European victor for the MRCA, I have a feeling that Sergei will take the cup.