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HAL to re-tender for co-developing medium-lift choppers
New Delhi: In a sudden development state-owned aerospace giant Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has cancelled a tender to select a global partner for co-developing a 10-12 tonne class medium-lift helicopter for the armed forces. French major Eurocopter and Russian Mil had already been shortlisted for the contract after release of the earlier tender.
It is being given to understand that the tender was cancelled as the armed forces' staff requirements for the helicopter changed during the tender process, according to defence ministry sources.
The medium-lift helicopter development plan is intended to replace the older generation of the Russian Mi-17s and Mi-8s flying with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Army.
Under the joint development programme, HAL and the chosen partner would have co-produced around 350 of these choppers over a period of 10-15 years, gradually phasing out the Mi-8 and Mi-17s.
"HAL will now release the tender again after adding in the additional specifications given by the armed forces and the process is expected to begin in next two months but the schedule has not yet been finalised," defence ministry sources said.
Medium lift choppers are mainly used by the forces to maintain troops in high altitude regions, to carry out rescue and relief operations and transportation of cargo and troops.
