ARMING to teeth? India looks for EW suites for Mi-17 helos

[Ind4Ever]

India looks for EW suites for Mi-17 helos
Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
27 September 2015
India is looking for advanced electronic warfare suites for its fleet of Mi-17V-5 helicopters. Source: Russian Helicopters
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a request for information (RfI) to local companies equip its fleet of 139 Mil Mi-17V-5 'Hip' medium-lift helicopters with advanced electronic warfare (EW) suites.

The 16 September RfI, which is aimed at private and public sector companies and has a deadline of 15 December, requires the EW suites to comprise radar warning receivers (RWRs), missile approach warning systems (MAWS), and countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDS).

"The integrated EW suite is intended to provide capability of intercepting, identifying, prioritising, and displaying airborne and ground-based threats from radars and missiles to the pilot," the RfI states.

It also seeks to "effectively provide self-protection to the helicopter against radar-controlled weapons and infrared-seeking missiles, by employing different countermeasures (chaffs, flares, and directed infrared)" it added.

The RFI also wants a 'limited number' of the twin-engine Mi-17V-5s to be integrated with laser warning receivers (LWRs) and directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM).

Military sources said this would involve 12-14 Mi-17V-5s, which would be diverted to the IAF's Communication Squadron to transport VIPs such as the Indian president, prime minister, and other senior officials.

This follows the termination of the EUR570 million (USD638 million) purchase of 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters for this role in early 2013. AgustaWestland has since been cleared of corruption allegations relating to the deal in Italy, but India's Central Bureau of Investigation is continuing with its own investigation.

In mid-2014 six Mi-17V-5s were temporarily modified for VVIP transportation, but the MoD now wants a larger fleet with advanced EW suites, permanently earmarked for this role.

The RfI, however, is unclear on whether local companies can invite overseas assistance for the EW programme, via a joint venture. It does, however, stipulate that the shortlisted vendor would need to co-ordinate with the helicopter manufacturer to "install and integrate" the EW suite.

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[Ind4Ever]

Tuesday, September 29, 2015
By : IHS Janes
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a request for information (RfI) to local companies equip its fleet of 139 Mil Mi-17V-5 'Hip' medium-lift helicopters with advanced electronic warfare (EW) suites.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a request for information (RfI) to local companies equip its fleet of 139 Mil Mi-17V-5 'Hip' medium-lift helicopters with advanced electronic warfare (EW) suites.

The 16 September RfI, which is aimed at private and public sector companies and has a deadline of 15 December, requires the EW suites to comprise radar warning receivers (RWRs), missile approach warning systems (MAWS), and countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDS).

"The integrated EW suite is intended to provide capability of intercepting, identifying, prioritising, and displaying airborne and ground-based threats from radars and missiles to the pilot," the RfI states.

It also seeks to "effectively provide self-protection to the helicopter against radar-controlled weapons and infrared-seeking missiles, by employing different countermeasures (chaffs, flares, and directed infrared)" it added.

The RFI also wants a 'limited number' of the twin-engine Mi-17V-5s to be integrated with laser warning receivers (LWRs) and directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM).

Military sources said this would involve 12-14 Mi-17V-5s, which would be diverted to the IAF's Communication Squadron to transport VIPs such as the Indian president, prime minister, and other senior officials.

This follows the termination of the EUR570 million (USD638 million) purchase of 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters for this role in early 2013. AgustaWestland has since been cleared of corruption allegations relating to the deal in Italy, but India's Central Bureau of Investigation is continuing with its own investigation.

In mid-2014 six Mi-17V-5s were temporarily modified for VVIP transportation, but the MoD now wants a larger fleet with advanced EW suites, permanently earmarked for this role.

The RfI, however, is unclear on whether local companies can invite overseas assistance for the EW programme, via a joint venture. It does, however, stipulate that the shortlisted vendor would need to co-ordinate with the helicopter manufacturer to "install and integrate" the EW suite.

Defence News - India looks for EW suites for Mi-17 helos