Griffon Hoverwork outlines bid for Indian Army

[samlove]

UK hovercraft manufacturer Griffon Hoverwork has outlined its current bid for the Indian Army's hovercraft procurement.

Speaking to IHS Jane's on 15 September, Griffon's managing director Adrian Went said that the company is currently proposing a package of 44 Griffon 2000TD single-engined aluminium-hulled hovercraft and 16 Griffon 8100TD twin-engined aluminium-hulled hovercraft.

The company has partnered with Goa Shipyards as part of its bid, which will undertake the build work on the vessels under an agreement that will see full technology transfer to India. Some sub-systems, such as GPS, will be retained by the original equipment manufacturer.

The contract for the army's hovercraft is expected to be awarded by the end of March 2016.


Griffon 2000TD

• Specification
• Length (m) hovering12.7
• Beam (m) hovering6.1
• Passengers (excl crew)8-15
• Minimum crew2
• Maximum payload (tonnes)2.2
• Normal endurance (hours)7
• Maximum Speed at full payload (knots)34
• Engine type (Diesel)1 x Deutz
• Hull MaterialMarine Grade Aluminium

The 2000TD is the longest running vessel in the Griffon Hoverwork range. Continuous development over more than 20 years has resulted in the most proven, versatile, single-engined fully amphibious hovercraft, offering a payload of up to 2000kg or up to 18 passengers.

• A turbo-charged diesel engine, variable pitch propeller and advanced skirt design, delivers a fast, safe performance over a wide variety of terrains and conditions.
• The marine grade aluminium hull guarantees strength, reliability and longevity.
• The cabin design is fully configurable for seating and cargo, allowing the craft to fulfil a wide variety of roles.
• Detachable side decks enable the craft to be reduced in width for transportation by road, in a standard 40ft shipping container, on a flat bed truck or in a C130 transport aircraft.

Commercial applications for the 2000TD have included airport crash rescue, search and rescue, oil crew boats, passenger ferries (tourist and commuter), medical clinics, dredging support, civil engineering support and exploration.


Griffon 8100TD
Logistical work horse

• Specification
• Length (m) hovering22.5
• Beam (m) hovering11
• Passengers (excl crew)56-75
• Minimum crew2
• Maximum payload (tonnes)12
• Normal endurance (hours)10
• Maximum Speed at full payload (knots)40
• Engine type (Diesel)2 X IVECO
• Hull MaterialMarine Grade Aluminium

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Overview


Capable of travelling at high speeds over a variety of surfaces, the 8100TD is favoured by military, paramilitary and naval forces as a logistic or amphibious operational support craft, and can also be configured for passenger ferry services.

• At 22.5m by 11m the Griffon 8100TD is a fully amphibious hovercraft capable of carrying up to a maximum of 70 passengers plus two crew.
• This craft can accommodate a light armoured vehicle or a 20 foot ISO container as part of its 12 tonne payload.
• Its unique design permits many possible superstructure options with the same standard hull and machinery installation.
• The craft is powered by two water-cooled 630kW (840hp) Iveco diesel engines and has a hull constructed of marine grade aluminium.
• The craft has demountable side decks, of aluminium alloy construction, which enables it to be reduced in width for transportation by sea if required. Normally the craft is transported fully assembled. The side decks provide a working deck surface along both sides of the hull.
• The skirt loop is made from neoprene on nylon fabric and the segments are made from natural rubber coated nylon fabric. All the skirt components are accessible and changeable from outside, on land, without having to jack the craft.

The 8100TD was initially designed for the Swedish Amphibious Brigade, who rely on the craft to deliver a unique year round capability, including accessing ice bound regions beyond the reach of their conventional amphibious assets.

The Indian Army is looking to purchase heavy and light category military-grade hovercrafts, or Air cushioned Vehicle Troop Carriages to transport troops as well as logistic supplies.

Goa shipyard is the only contender for the heavy category hovercraft while in the light category, there are a total of two participants, including Goa Shipyard.

The Indian Army is keen to acquire a number of armed military hovercrafts for use in the Eastern theatre, which can cruise at 25-40 knots with 80 fully-equipped combat troops. The Indian Army also wants these hovercrafts to be able to carry battle gear, logistic requirements, and other equipment necessary for humanitarian as well as combat operations.

The India Army is currently evaluating the submitted bids and is expected to finalize the name of the contractor within three months, sources said.

In his first visit to the state after being appointed as the defence minister, Manohar Parrikar had said that Goa Shipyard had all the technical expertise to build hovercrafts and that the shipyard would be be the first shipyard in the country to build hovercrafts. Goa Shipyard will collaborate with Griffin, a UK-based company to develop the hovercrafts for the Indian Army.

 

[Arsalan]

Both these are excellent choice in in light and medium category hovercraft. PN is also operating both of these types. I though the Indians will be more interested in buying a few heavy category Zubr class from Russians. They have a huge coastline and thus marshy terrain to look after.

 

[Ankit Kumar 001]

Good , this should be done fast. Coast Guard too uses Hovercrafts from this company.

 

[samlove]

Good , this should be done fast. Coast Guard too uses Hovercrafts from this company.

this will only take one year to start delivery so once it clear might be at end of 2016

 

[$@rJen]

Both these are excellent choice in in light and medium category hovercraft. PN is also operating both of these types. I though the Indians will be more interested in buying a few heavy category Zubr class from Russians. They have a huge coastline and thus marshy terrain to look after.

This is not for the Navy... its for the Indian Army to be used in the river along Indo-China border

 

[SR-91]

@samlove

My bad to sidetrack ur story but i felt the need to share this story as well.


Hovercraft NANDI, India's first indigenous hovercraft made by DR. APJ KALAM in 1962.