Boeing Could Win Another Indian Helicopter Contract

[Abingdonboy]

NEW DELHI — When it comes to selling military aircraft to India, Boeing is on a roll.

After winning a $1.3 billion Indian Air Force contract for 22 AH-64D Apache attack helicopters last month — and getting selected as the preferred vendor for India’s $1.4 billion heavylift helicopter competition with its Chinook CH-47F — Boeing could get another contract, this time for more Apaches to be used by the Army, Indian Ministry of Defence sources said.

The Indian MoD chose the 22 Apache helicopters for the Air Force over Russia’s Mi-28 helicopters.

U.S. firms have already won contracts worth more than $8 billion in the past four years, and most of the weapons and equipment supplied to India have come through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. India contracted 10 Boeing C-17 aircraft for $4.2 billion, 12 Boeing P-3I maritime surveillance aircraft and six Lockheed Martin C-130J aircraft. The other major suppliers in the FMS route have been the Russians.

While the Indian Army had been demanding attack helicopters independent of the Indian Air Force, the Air Force has opposed the plan. A senior Air Force official described the move as the creation of a mini air force within the Army.

The MoD, however, decided last month to allow the Army to use attack helicopters but has not publicly said which service will get the 22 Apaches ordered last month. MoD sources said the Air Force will receive the 22 helicopters.

For Boeing, the order book could remain active, as the Indian Navy has proposed ordering an additional 12 P-8I — for a total of 24 aircraft — through FMS.

The method has become the preferred purchase route for India, as opposed to open competition.

And the FMS route could get busier if the U.S. agrees to dilute legal conditions that include restrictive clauses governing the placement and use of U.S.-bought weapons, an MoD official said.

India has signed restrictive clauses when buying U.S. weapons, a move opposed by senior Indian Navy and Air Force personnel, the official said.

India’s comptroller and auditor general, in a 2008 report, raised doubts over agreeing to such conditions regarding the purchase of an amphibious ship.

“Restrictive clauses raise doubts about the real advantage from this deal,” the report said. “For example, restrictions on the offensive deployment of the ship and permission to the foreign government to conduct an inspection and inventory of all articles transferred under the end-use monitoring clause of the letter of agreement.”

Boeing Could Win Another Indian Helicopter Contract | Defense News | defensenews.com


So we could see the IAF and IA AAC operating Apaches! What a crazy yet awesome prospect!

 

[madooxno9]

I don't get it , why Air force has problem with Army having a batch of Helicopters. I think it will good if Army gets some for them and not rely on air force totally. During battle this might give Army some edge , by reducing time reaction and safeguard strike core group.

 

[JayAtl]

I don't get it , why Air force has problem with Army having a batch of Helicopters. I think it will good if Army gets some for them and not rely on air force totally. During battle this might give Army some edge , by reducing time reaction and safeguard strike core group.

because their budget gets smaller... every countries armed forces always nag at each other in these terms. US model has marine core having it's own helicopters and the army too

 

[Abingdonboy]

I don't get it , why Air force has problem with Army having a batch of Helicopters. I think it will good if Army gets some for them and not rely on air force totally. During battle this might give Army some edge , by reducing time reaction and safeguard strike core group.

Same old, same old. Inter-service rivalry is an issue in all major militaries. It has always baffled me as an outsider but if you in service it may seem differently to you. In the past this could be quite destructive as inductions and devlopments were stalled but now the funds are there and duplication of services and infrastructure is affordable then it shouldn't be a huge issue if all sides can prove tangible benifits of such a system.

 

[madooxno9]

because their budget gets smaller... every countries armed forces always nag at each other in these terms. US model has marine core having it's own helicopters and the army too

As we all know how India is on spending spree ,why not one more billion and keep both sides happy

 

[Tshering22]

Seems to be a shoddy report.

As per the new MOD guidelines, the Army Aviation will be handling all attack helicopters from now on and IAF will only continue operating the Mi-35 squadron until it retires.

And the FMS route could get busier if the U.S. agrees to dilute legal conditions that include restrictive clauses governing the placement and use of U.S.-bought weapons, an MoD official said.

India has signed restrictive clauses when buying U.S. weapons, a move opposed by senior Indian Navy and Air Force personnel, the official said.

I am wondering how much cut US companies offered the UPA regime for this from each of the defense deals.

Otherwise no government in our history has ever agreed to sign any restrictive clauses especially when military commanders criticize it.

This is something seriously pathetic. Why did we agree to the restrictive clauses?

 

[Gessler]

22 for IAF and another 22 for IA?

If both forces decide to place follow on orders it'll be 88 apaches in total

 

[Abingdonboy]

Seems to be a shoddy report.

As per the new MOD guidelines, the Army Aviation will be handling all attack helicopters from now on and IAF will only continue operating the Mi-35 squadron until it retires.



I am wondering how much cut US companies offered the UPA regime for this from each of the defense deals.

Otherwise no government in our history has ever agreed to sign any restrictive clauses especially when military commanders criticize it.

This is something seriously pathetic. Why did we agree to the restrictive clauses?

Actually I have checked and this article is right- the MoD,IAF and IA have not actually clarified what attack assets will go where. The MI-35s are being replaced by the Apaches, it makes no sense for the IAF to continue operating obsolete assets that were intended to be replaced by the Apaches! And why shouldn't India do what many other countries have done and start getting the best possible tech out there? Much of this happens to be from the US but so what? India isn't going to war with the US anytime soon. Why should the Indian military have a hand tied behind their back because the GoI refuses to sign a few aggrements allowing them to receive the best tech out there?

FMS route is 100% transparent there is no room for kick-backs or corruption not to mention the new stringent measurs on the Inidan side to prevent such allegations. Don't talk this nonsense.

 

[kam83]

For Boeing, the order book could remain active, as the Indian Navy has proposed ordering an additional 12 P-8I — for a total of 24 aircraft — through FMS.

made my day..........we shld place this order as soon as possible...to make our oceans secure ...

 

[sancho]

...Indian Ministry of Defence sources said...


So we could see the IAF and IA AAC operating Apaches! What a crazy yet awesome prospect!

Besides the unnamed source, ther author forgot that the the competition is for a replacement of the Mi 35s, so if IA gets Apaches as replacements of Mi 35s, it will still be the 22 from the initial IAF competition and not additional once, that has no types to replace.
Infact, since MoD has decided to provide IA with Mi 35s, they obviously must think that there is no use of combat helicopters in IAF currently, so why should they (let alone finance ministry) allow such a costly additon?
If we get more of the Apaches, they will be used from the same force and not from IA and IAF.

 

[janon]

made my day..........we shld place this order as soon as possible...to make our oceans secure ...

That's what caught my eye too. 24 P-8Is are a very serious ASW force, with such a fleet we could keep the IOR completely sanitized of enemy submarines during wartime. If utilized properly, Chinese subs won't be able to enter the IOR undetected, and Pakistani submarine arm (which has to be admitted, is a potent arm of their navy) will be rendered almost useless. This is the best maritime patrol aircraft on the planet by a long margin.

In addition we are also going to buy an equal number of medium range MP aircrafts as well. The IN is poised to become a strength to reckon with globally.

 

[sancho]

22 for IAF and another 22 for IA?

If both forces decide to place follow on orders it'll be 88 apaches in total

Ehm, Rudhra, LCH?

Actually I have checked and this article is right- the MoD,IAF and IA have not actually clarified what attack assets will go where. The MI-35s are being replaced by the Apaches, it makes no sense for the IAF to continue operating obsolete assets that were intended to be replaced by the Apaches! And why shouldn't India do what many other countries have done and start getting the best possible tech out there?

First of all, doing something because other countries do it is the worst argument, if we do something we have to do it because it suits our requirements.
Secondly, India will have Apaches anyway, the question is only in which of the forces and where it really would be needed.
IAF didn't freely gave away the Mi 35s which are far from beeing obsolesent, but were forced to do so!

 

[sexy gun]

I think foreign maal should go to the force which can show the maximum indigenous component in its arsenal !!

if they want foreign maal, they have to take indian maal as well.

 

[Abingdonboy]

I think foreign maal should go to the force which can show the maximum indigenous component in its arsenal !!

if they want foreign maal, they have to take indian maal as well.

If this happened the Indian military's modernisation process would screech to a hault. Such protectinist measure shouldn't take place instead India's defence indusetery should devlop in parellel to weapon imports so that the Indian industery can get to a stage where it can compete with foreign defece compaines. Your method would hamper both modernisation efforts and the ability of Indian companies to devlop.

 

[sexy gun]

If this happened the Indian military's modernisation process would screech to a hault. Such protectinist measure shouldn't take place instead India's defence indusetery should devlop in parellel to weapon imports so that the Indian industery can get to a stage where it can compete with foreign defece compaines. Your method would hamper both modernisation efforts and the ability of Indian companies to devlop.

I for one have lost all trust on IA to conduct something without corruption !!