INDIAN NAVY HELICOPTER SHORTFALL ADVERSELY AFFECTING OPERATIONS

[Zarvan]

The Indian Navy (IN) faces a shortfall of more than 250 helicopters, adversely affecting its operational efficiency, senior officials have said.

Efforts to procure replacement platforms through imports and indigenous joint venture (JV) programmes with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) remain plagued by recurring delays by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

"This helicopter deficiency has compelled the navy to deploy its rotary assets selectively aboard warships," according to a two-star IN officer. It is forcing the IN to judiciously pick and choose its helicopter placements in keeping with mission requirements, he added.

The IN's ageing fleet of around 100 helicopters includes some 30 Westland Sea King Mk42/B/C and UH-3H helicopters; 14 Kamov Ka-28s, including three trainers; 14 Kamov Ka-31 'Helix-B' airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platforms, currently being upgraded in Russia; around 30 licence-built Chetak (Alouette SA-316/316B) helicopters, inducted into service from 1961; and around 8 locally designed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters that narrowly meet the navy's operational requirements.

Indian Navy helicopter shortfall adversely affecting operations - IHS Jane's 360

 

[SP!TF!R3]

Navy NMRH- 16 S-70 Purchased.there may be a further tender to buy 123 more..

New NUH-110 to be purchased.Selection is on.

Largest 'Make in India' chopper contract: Navy to screen private and public vendors for Rs 20K-crore deal - The Economic Times

it is little vague,but I though both Army and Navy's NUH will be same platform.so it might be Ka-226 or HAL LUH.

Indian Armed force has massive requirement of various kind helicopters to replace the existing one.the total figure is somewhat around 800-1000 I think.

 

[Abingdonboy]

And the MoD is STILL sat on the S-70B purchase

@Dash @saurav

it is little vague,but I though both Army and Navy's NUH will be same platform.so it might be Ka-226 or HAL LUH.

No, this simply isn't the case. The IN has purposely not pooled their requirements with the IAF and IA, the Ka-226 isn't even a contender for the N-LUH.

 

[Dash]

And the MoD is STILL sat on the S-70B purchase

@Dash @saurav



No, this simply isn't the case. The IN has purposely not pooled their requirements with the IAF and IA, the Ka-226 isn't even a contender for the N-LUH.

S-70 B will be cleared soon. I think there seems to be some issue after LM took over Sikorsky. But I have a strong feeling it will be cleared soon mate.

 

[Abingdonboy]

S-70 B will be cleared soon. I think there seems to be some issue after LM took over Sikorsky. But I have a strong feeling it will be cleared soon mate.

"Soon" is a subjective term, the DM promised OROP "soon" in January, he promised a new DPP "soon" in December 2014 or in "2-3 months", it is almost November 2015 and no new DPP.

He has been to 2 P-15A commissioning ceremonies and isn't able to compute that these billion USD destroyers are going to sea without a ASW helo?


I'm sorry but this is criminal negligence.

 

[saurav]

Well, it $ucks. But there must have been other higher priority items. Happens after 10 years of complete negligence. Will take some time to clear the backlog.