India to invite bids for purchase of 312 helicopters

[ejaz007]

India to invite bids for purchase of 312 helicopters

NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of floating multi-billion dollar global tenders for buying long-range artillery guns, India plans to invite international bids for purchase of 312 light helicopters. The tenders for these helicopters, 197 for the army aviati on and another 115 for the air force, are to be floated in the next few days and are estimated to be worth over $2 billion.

India plans to buy these helicopters to give its forces capability of rapid deployment and for logistics support on the icy heights of Siachen glacier.

"These choppers are being inducted to enhance the operational capability of the armed forces in the high Himalayan frontiers", according to the Defence Secretary Mr Vijay Singh.

Textron-based American helicopter major Bell, European arms major EADS, Russia's Kamov and Italian Augusta Westland are expected to be the main bidders for the Indian tenders.

The four helicopter manufacturers were also the bidders in the Indian army request for proposals for 197 helicopters, which was cancelled at the last moment after government said rules of procurement had been flouted by a bidder. At the time of cancellat ion of the deal, officials were engaged in price negotiation.

The combined army and IAF tenders were to be out in the first week of this month, but were delayed as the air force was late in firming up its requirements, according to officials. - PTI

:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

 

[EagleEyes]

Why not use Dhurv instead?

 

[su-47]

i think this is an additional order. india needs helicopters fast, and dhruv probably cant be produced fast enoguh to meet the demand

 

[indiapakistanfriendship]

The orders are for light and medium lift helocopters. THE 197 lighthelicopters such as fennec will be used to ferry supply and provide emergency lift , however I think they are more optimised for scout reconissance and FAC. The rest of the order is for medium helicopters, nearly 70 of them such as Mi17 or Puma etc.

Dhurv falls inbetween the two catogories of helicopters.ie medium and very light helicopters

 

[ejaz007]

As far as I remember India invited bids for helicopters in the recent past, selected a bidder and then cancelled the entire process. This is the second time they are calling bids and the quantity has been increased.

 

[indiapakistanfriendship]

The cancellation was a stupid move by self righteous Anthony. Eurocopter had sent for trials a civilian version rather then the military one, though this was not a big issue the so called righteous babus and cag cancelled the desl. In my opinion they should have pressed on with the deal and slapping eurocopter with a fine

No the quantity has not been increased the quantity remains the same 197 light helicpters, the increase is due to the merging of another tender for 70 medium helicpters.