Indian Navy Multi-Role Helicopter Competition To Kickstart Again

[TimeTraveller]

After years of delays, the Indian Ministry of Defense has cleared a proposal to buy 16 multirole helicopters worth $1 billion for the Navy.

The clearance was reported given at the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) yesterday meeting chaired by the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, according to Indian media reports.

However it is unclear if the tender will be re-launched or picked up from where it left off last year. In 2011, the Indian Navy completed trials with evaluated the NHI NH90 and Sikorsky S70B helicopters and submitted its report to the Defense Ministry. However a year later the MoD requested competitors to extend their proposals until December 31, 2012 without offering any explanations.

Another major reason for the delay in completing the contract has been Sikorsky’s acceptance into the final round of competitions.

Rivals NH Industries and Eurocopter have vehemently protested against Sikorsky’s acceptance into the final round of competitions stating it does not meet the technical requirements.

Eurocopter, in a written letter to the MoD, sought clarifications from the government over the Sikorsky.

NH Industries claims that Sikorsky is not technically compliant unless its S70B helicopter has been granted waivers on a number of non-compliances of the Multi Role Helicopter (MRH) RFP qualitative requirements.

In a letter to then Defence Minister A.K. Antony, the NHI Managing Director, B. Vaccari has sought to provide ‘additional information’ to support its earlier communication to the MoD. NHI Industries lists out 10 instances where the S70B could not have met the Naval Staff Quality Requirements (NSQRs).

These include requirements for internal/external tanks, fuel reserve, sonar, health and usage monitoring system, deck lock and technical literature. The letter quotes the S70B technical manuals to emphasize that the trial performance of its rival could have been at variance with the NSQRs.

In addition, NH Industries claims it has taken the necessary permission from European governments to provide technical documentation to the Indian Navy so that future certification requirements can be met by Indian certification agencies.

Meanwhile, Sikorsky appears upbeat about its prospects in the $ 1 billion tender. A Sikorsky executive was quoted as saying in the Indian media last year that its helicopter could be the L1 (lowest bidder) in the Indian naval tender and that it was awaiting the outcome of the field evaluation trials (FET) held late last year.

Sikorsky has tied up with the Tata business group of India and expect to set up an helicopter assembly plant in India for defence helicopters should it win the Navy tender.

A section of the Indian media had earlier reported quoting “Navy sources” that both the NH90 and the Sikorsky S70B had cleared the field evaluation trials and that the report had been submitted to the Indian MoD which has to decide on an eventual winner.

Source:Indian Navy Multi-Role Helicopter Competition To Kickstart Again

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

At 62.5 million per helo, these are more expensive than the fly-away cost of an F/A-18....is there something going on behind the scenes here in terms of additives? or is it 1 billion rupees?

 

[sancho]

At 62.5 million per helo, these are more expensive than the fly-away cost of an F/A-18....is there something going on behind the scenes here in terms of additives? or is it 1 billion rupees?

That the system costs for USN at least and it always depends on the numbers one procure, Australia bought small numbers of F18SH costing more than $190 millions, nowhere close to what helicopters will cost and here we are talking about a small numer of helicopters mainly for the ASW role, so with dedicated capabilities, not a basic utility helicopter.

But interesting to get some details about the complaint:

These include requirements for internal/external tanks, fuel reserve, sonar, health and usage monitoring system, deck lock and technical literature. The letter quotes the S70B technical manuals to emphasize that the trial performance of its rival could have been at variance with the NSQRs.

 

[Rikbo]

At 62.5 million per helo, these are more expensive than the fly-away cost of an F/A-18....is there something going on behind the scenes here in terms of additives? or is it 1 billion rupees?

$62.5 million per helo? Maybe for the NH90, but not for the S-70B. Where did this number come from? As someone who worked on the S-70B for many years, I have never seen a proposal with that as a per unit cost.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Helicopters with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems are widely deployed by naval forces as a means to counter submarines at long ranges. Naval-technology.com lists the 10 best anti-submarine warfare helicopters based on ASW equipment, range and endurance.

MH-60R Romeo
The MH-60R Romeo is a next generation Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) helicopter produced by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. It is currently one of the most advanced naval helicopters available.

The MH-60R, with a maximum takeoff weight of 10,659kg, is capable of operating from frigates, destroyers, corvettes and aircraft carriers. It has the ability to conduct fully independent or coordinated ASW missions and can find, track and destroy all modern subsurface threats.

The first MH-60R completed its maiden flight in July 2001 and about 298 helicopters are currently in operation with the US Navy. The helicopters are equipped with a Sonobuoy launcher, forward looking infrared radar (FLIR), multi-mode radar, dipping sonar, integrated self-defence suite and four weapon stations to carry homing torpedoes and anti-ship missiles

S-70B SEAHAWK ASW / ASuW Helicopter
The S-70B SEAHAWK is an ASW/ASuW helicopter developed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The helicopter is capable of operating from frigates, destroyers, corvettes as well as other warships, and its variants are widely operated across the world.

The S-70B helicopter is fitted with search radar, sonobuoy launcher, Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) dipping sonar, towed magnetic anomaly detector, acoustic processing unit, forward-looking infra-red (FLIR), and countermeasures.

The S-70B features three weapon stations carrying EuroTorp A244 or MK-46 homing torpedoes, Penguin anti-ship missiles, and Hellfire air-to-surface missiles. The helicopter has a maximum speed of 270km/h and a range of 592km.

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

$62.5 million per helo? Maybe for the NH90, but not for the S-70B. Where did this number come from? As someone who worked on the S-70B for many years, I have never seen a proposal with that as a per unit cost.

Well, it was an assumption more than anything else seeing as the leading sentence of the article states 16 helos for a billion.

 

[The Huskar]

If it is NH90 combat version,then the cost is understandable as French Navy got it for 59 million $ in 2013.But the support version costs 36 million $.
Maybe they are adding TOT costs but if not then this is pure idiocy to buy them for such high rates

 

[Abingdonboy]

View attachment 46307


After years of delays, the Indian Ministry of Defense has cleared a proposal to buy 16 multirole helicopters worth $1 billion for the Navy.

The clearance was reported given at the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) yesterday meeting chaired by the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, according to Indian media reports.

However it is unclear if the tender will be re-launched or picked up from where it left off last year. In 2011, the Indian Navy completed trials with evaluated the NHI NH90 and Sikorsky S70B helicopters and submitted its report to the Defense Ministry. However a year later the MoD requested competitors to extend their proposals until December 31, 2012 without offering any explanations.

Another major reason for the delay in completing the contract has been Sikorsky’s acceptance into the final round of competitions.

Rivals NH Industries and Eurocopter have vehemently protested against Sikorsky’s acceptance into the final round of competitions stating it does not meet the technical requirements.

Eurocopter, in a written letter to the MoD, sought clarifications from the government over the Sikorsky.

NH Industries claims that Sikorsky is not technically compliant unless its S70B helicopter has been granted waivers on a number of non-compliances of the Multi Role Helicopter (MRH) RFP qualitative requirements.

In a letter to then Defence Minister A.K. Antony, the NHI Managing Director, B. Vaccari has sought to provide ‘additional information’ to support its earlier communication to the MoD. NHI Industries lists out 10 instances where the S70B could not have met the Naval Staff Quality Requirements (NSQRs).

These include requirements for internal/external tanks, fuel reserve, sonar, health and usage monitoring system, deck lock and technical literature. The letter quotes the S70B technical manuals to emphasize that the trial performance of its rival could have been at variance with the NSQRs.

In addition, NH Industries claims it has taken the necessary permission from European governments to provide technical documentation to the Indian Navy so that future certification requirements can be met by Indian certification agencies.

Meanwhile, Sikorsky appears upbeat about its prospects in the $ 1 billion tender. A Sikorsky executive was quoted as saying in the Indian media last year that its helicopter could be the L1 (lowest bidder) in the Indian naval tender and that it was awaiting the outcome of the field evaluation trials (FET) held late last year.

Sikorsky has tied up with the Tata business group of India and expect to set up an helicopter assembly plant in India for defence helicopters should it win the Navy tender.

A section of the Indian media had earlier reported quoting “Navy sources” that both the NH90 and the Sikorsky S70B had cleared the field evaluation trials and that the report had been submitted to the Indian MoD which has to decide on an eventual winner.

Source:Indian Navy Multi-Role Helicopter Competition To Kickstart Again

Such confusing reports on the N-MRH deal. A few days ago there was new that the MoD was scrapping this entirely to restart it with a "Make India" emphasis like the Avro, LHD/LPD and arty deals. I am hoping now that this is ONLY for the NMRHs over and above this deal for 16 as the IN DESPERATELY needs these new helos. But even then that wouldn't make sense as this deal has an option for a further 44 helos so having a separate deal under "Make India" would make no sense.


Very very unclear but I'm sure the Indian media has a part to play in this apparent misinformation.

@Rikbo sir, great to see you monitor this site for any new on the NMRH and are quick to correct inaccuracies. I remember you saying a few weeks back you mentioning Sikrosky and NHI being invited to open their bids sometime in September- any updates on that front?

 

[MokshaVimukthi]

$62.5 million per helo? Maybe for the NH90, but not for the S-70B. Where did this number come from? As someone who worked on the S-70B for many years, I have never seen a proposal with that as a per unit cost.

Good to know about your background. What would the average price of S-70B in 2014 ? What would be its Life time cost ?

 

[Rikbo]

S-70B is also fully qualified and capable of launching the Raytheon MK54 Mod 1 torpedo which is now being used for the Turkish Navy and will be used on the Indian P8 aircraft India has purchased. Sonobuoys not currently installed but fully provisioned for. MH-60R does not have an antiship missile. USN decided not to continue carrying the Penguin missile when designing the 60R. Lockheed likes to call the Hellfire an "anti-ship missile". Uh... I don't think so.
Pricing is very dependent on the overall package quoted, something I am not privy to. That can vary the price quite drastically, especially if a things like a support package, training, spares, & co-production agreement is included. I believe the cost of a typical (full up ASW & ASuW capability) S-70B was around $35 to $40 million for just the aircraft back in 2012.
Last I heard the bids were to be opened at the end of September. Would not surprise me to see that pushed back.
If India does cancel the MRH tender and pursues what the article above says, I would expect at least another 3-5 year delay in procuring that aircraft. The right thing to do is to continue the MRH buy, and simultaneously pursue a co-production agreement with an established vendor to help India establish an in-country knowledge base and manufacturing capability.

 

[SRBM2]

S-70B can also fully qualified and capable of launching the Raytheon MK54 Mod 1 torpedo which now being used for the Turkish Navy. Sonobuoys not currently installed but fully provisioned for. MH-60R does not have an antiship missile. USN decided not to continue carrying the Penguin missile when designing the 60R. Lockheed likes to call the Hellfire an "anti-ship missile". Uh... I don't think so.

You need already to launch two Hellfires to destroy a 10-15t ship (not water displacement).
You can not get anywhere close to any real vessel without getting into ships weapon range and with such low explosive charge the Hellfire will never be an AShM.
Lockheed Martin is prone to use wrong advertisement.

 

[Abingdonboy]

The right thing to do is to continue the MRH buy, and simultaneously pursue a co-production agreement with an established vendor to help India establish an in-country knowledge base and manufacturing capability.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Rikbo]

Waiting anxiously to see if Prime Minister Modi, during his visit to the USA, makes any announcement regarding the Indian MRH tender. Rumors are flying the S-70B is the likely selection. We'll see, to many crazy things have already happened with this tender.

 

[sancho]

Waiting anxiously to see if Prime Minister Modi, during his visit to the USA, makes any announcement regarding the Indian MRH tender. Rumors are flying the S-70B is the likely selection. We'll see, to many crazy things have already happened with this tender.

The important point is, will the MoD now change the requirement of the naval helicopter tenders, by demanding a JV with Indian partners and a joint bid, as they did in other tenders recently. If that is the case, even a stopgap procurement of 16 x S70s would not have importance for the larger tender, since the JV and the joint bid will be the important point. That's why more important than announing these smaller procurements, announcing a policy change of the US wrt ToT, offsets and JVs would be a much bigger point for future Indo-US defence deals.

 

[Abingdonboy]

If that is the case, even a stopgap procurement of 16 x S70s would not have importance for the larger tender

Well it would be pretty important- any such JV winning out and then delivering NMRHs to the IN would take, what, 5-6 years? At least the stop-gap procurement of 16 (hopefully more) would ease some of the (serious) pain the IN is facing on this front right now with their Sea King and Ka-28 fleet. You seriously can't think the current situation of flying 30+ year old aged Helos from $1BN+ Destroyers is acceptable?