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IAF chopper fleet to fly high with 300 new machines
NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter fleet is all set to get a boost during the next nine years with plans for inducting 300 attack, transport and observation choppers in advanced stages of implementation in deals worth $5.5 billion.
Among the new choppers to be inducted will be 12 VVIP transports, 22 attack, 15 heavy-lift, 130 medium-lift and 120 light utility helicopters of varying types, sizes and capabilities.
The deals for most of these helicopters are expected to be signed during fiscal 2011-12, with the acquisitions being completed before 2020, a senior IAF officer told IANS. The officer, because of service rules, did not wish to be identified.
Among the first procurements will be the 12 VVIP transport helicopters for the Palam-based Communication Squadron. India had signed an $800 million (Rs.37 billion) deal with British-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland for its AW-101 platform in March 2010.
The three-engined AW-101s, which will provide safe, secure, comfortable and stylish domestic journeys for the president, the prime minister and other senior political leaders, are scheduled for delivery in late 2013. The AW-101s will replace the existing VVIP fleet of aging Soviet era Mi-17s.
The IAF will also induct 80 Mi-17-IV over the next couple of years to augment it medium-lift capability of the existing Mi-8 and Mi-17 fleet. It is also in the final stages of deciding on 50 additional Mi-17s over and above the 80 it ordered in 2008 for $1.3 billion.
To augment its existing two squadrons of 30 Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack choppers, the IAF is on the verge of concluding a $500 million contract for 22 combat helicopters, for which US aerospace major Boeing's AH-64 Apache and Russian Mil's Mi-28 are in contention.
The flight and weapons trials of the two competing helicopters were completed in February and the evaluation reports are awaited to begin cost negotiations with the chosen firm.
The IAF is also testing two platforms, again from Boeing and Mil, to meet its need for 15 heavy-lift helicopters to replace the four Mi-26s - said to be the world's heaviest military chopper - India bought from the erstwhile Soviet Union in the late 1980s. Boeing has fielded its CH-47 Chinook and Mil has offered an upgraded Mi-26 for the IAF tender, estimated to be worth $2 billion.
IAF chopper fleet to fly high with 300 new machines - Economic Times
NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter fleet is all set to get a boost during the next nine years with plans for inducting 300 attack, transport and observation choppers in advanced stages of implementation in deals worth $5.5 billion.
Among the new choppers to be inducted will be 12 VVIP transports, 22 attack, 15 heavy-lift, 130 medium-lift and 120 light utility helicopters of varying types, sizes and capabilities.
The deals for most of these helicopters are expected to be signed during fiscal 2011-12, with the acquisitions being completed before 2020, a senior IAF officer told IANS. The officer, because of service rules, did not wish to be identified.
Among the first procurements will be the 12 VVIP transport helicopters for the Palam-based Communication Squadron. India had signed an $800 million (Rs.37 billion) deal with British-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland for its AW-101 platform in March 2010.
The three-engined AW-101s, which will provide safe, secure, comfortable and stylish domestic journeys for the president, the prime minister and other senior political leaders, are scheduled for delivery in late 2013. The AW-101s will replace the existing VVIP fleet of aging Soviet era Mi-17s.
The IAF will also induct 80 Mi-17-IV over the next couple of years to augment it medium-lift capability of the existing Mi-8 and Mi-17 fleet. It is also in the final stages of deciding on 50 additional Mi-17s over and above the 80 it ordered in 2008 for $1.3 billion.
To augment its existing two squadrons of 30 Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack choppers, the IAF is on the verge of concluding a $500 million contract for 22 combat helicopters, for which US aerospace major Boeing's AH-64 Apache and Russian Mil's Mi-28 are in contention.
The flight and weapons trials of the two competing helicopters were completed in February and the evaluation reports are awaited to begin cost negotiations with the chosen firm.
The IAF is also testing two platforms, again from Boeing and Mil, to meet its need for 15 heavy-lift helicopters to replace the four Mi-26s - said to be the world's heaviest military chopper - India bought from the erstwhile Soviet Union in the late 1980s. Boeing has fielded its CH-47 Chinook and Mil has offered an upgraded Mi-26 for the IAF tender, estimated to be worth $2 billion.
IAF chopper fleet to fly high with 300 new machines - Economic Times
