Indian Army to purchase Bell 407 Shen helicopters

[blain2]

Thanks Blain!

Good, once again I'm impressed by the efficience and expertise of our military think tank.
I don't know how its done but considering our limited resources and budget these guys get the best of the best for our forces!

So in what numbers are we getting these birds, how many are required to have a credible utility/liason/light transport units in Northern Command?

Yeah they do a decent job within their limited budget but could be even more streamlined. I am really not sure about the numbers though. Must be less than 30. That is about the number of Allouettes and Lamas (7 & 15 respectively) in PA service a while back if we are to go for a 1-1 replacement.

 

[Lilo]

Yeah baby! FINALLY!!!!!!!!!
What did i tell you Adux, it would be Bell.

That makes life hell of a lot sweeter in Siachen. The vintage Cheetah/Chetak's will be retired, these new beauties will take over the job.

It would make logistics a LOT easier plus give MUCH more capable machines than the ones army currently uses, give new technology to the Army. It would help a lot in the upkeep of Siachen.

this deal is sensible only if HAL got into some out sourcing agreement with BELL...
..and if we get some share in the future profits they rake up

this Bell 407 is quite a fast moving Heli in civilian market anyway...so iam sure taht there will be lots of sales of this model in the future..


if not.. I wouldnt be too upbeat about this..

coz HAL could have fielded its own ARH model based on Dhruv (maybe in conjunction with some other israeli company...)

and this company could supply armaments and other goodies (the ones which HAL cannot make in house)

Some purposes for which Bell 407 helicopters are frequently used:

* Tasks of police helicopters, Homeland Security
* Corporate
* Offshore transportation
* Duties in EMS services as aeromedical helicopter
* Sightseeing flights for tourists etc.
* Movie filming & TV news reporting

 

[JK!]

Thanks Blain!

Good, once again I'm impressed by the efficience and expertise of our military think tank.
I don't know how its done but considering our limited resources and budget these guys get the best of the best for our forces!

So in what numbers are we getting these birds, how many are required to have a credible utility/liason/light transport units in Northern Command?

If need be we can look to China for these:

http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z11.asp

 

[Keysersoze]

A side note, PAK has the 407 in service as well. They purchased them in 2003

40 to be precise. But they are probably the vanilla version.

 

[Contrarian]

The 30% offset clause will literally give miracles to the Indian industry.

 

[Adux]

The 30% offset clause will literally give miracles to the Indian industry.

There are times we love our Politicans.

 

[Contrarian]

There are times we love our Politicans.

I know . They usually chug through you know. This would leap frog our provate industries capabilities. I'l say this was a SUPER move, leveraging our HUGE buying spree into something so good for our private as well as public sector