Indian Navy looking for latest choppers.

[DarK-LorD]

Indian Navy looking for latest choppers.
Last Updated: Saturday, October 01, 2011, 15:30

Panaji: The Indian Navy is actively looking out for military helicopters which can succeed its present fleet of Seaking and Kamov helicopters, a senior naval officer said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters in Panaji, flag officer commanding Goa area (FOCGA) Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai said the hunt for newer crafts was on while the Seaking, which are anti-submarine and troop-carrying helicopters, and Kamov or Ka-31, used as airborne early warning choppers, were being upgraded.

"We are actively scouting for a worthy successor to the doughty Seakings and Kamov helicopters," Pillai said.

The naval officer underlined the importance of maritime reconnaissance (MR) when it came to maintaining surveillance along the Indian coastline, but also added that the portfolio of the Indian Navy was almost complete as far as surveillance assets were concerned.

"We are continuing to operate the TU-142s and IL-38s in the MR role. The IL-38s were extensively refurbished in Russia with Sea Dragon radar and attack suite. For medium range surveillance, we have the versatile medium range recce aircraft Dornier-228s in a number of configurations," Pillai said.

"We have completed our portfolio of surveillance assets with unmanned aerial vehicles called Heron and Searchers which can be controlled from our ships," he added.

http://zeenews.**********/news/nation/indian-navy-looking-for-latest-choppers_734440.html

 

[POPS]

Thats great first MMRCA now this good

 

[angeldemon_007]

^^^
They have been searching for choppers since 2009. IN has to purchase choppers in every category 10t, 12t, smaller LUH for chetak replacement etc.

 

[jha]

Yes and I am looking for Typhoon class SSBN for a trip..Problem with both is the budget..

 

[Abingdonboy]

For all the positive steps IN is taking- ACCS, FRIGATES, DESTROYERS, CORVETTES,FAC, LHD,LPD etc vertical aviation, for some, reason is really a field which is being neglected and left behind. I don't understand why, IN has the $$$ (recently announced they intend to spend $60 BN in next 5 years for modernisation and expansion).

 

[angeldemon_007]

^^^
I don't think there's any plans to purchase LHD and LPD separately. Plans are for 4 amphibious vessels most likely to be LPD but Prasun Sengupta is saying that IN has now shown interest to purchase LHD and top contenders are Mistral and MHD 2000, there are some interest in Dokdo class also.

As far as money is concerned, this year separate funds are alloted for rotor wings for each force. In short all the helicopter competitions are most likely to reach result before march 2012. Only IN's purchase is a bit shady but IN also is most likely to sign the deal for 16 Multi role choppers (10t category) before march 2012. As far as light choppers are concerned hat competition is the shadiest one. I don't even know the contenders and the 12 t category RFi was issued this yea only and I don't think they will sign this new deal so quickly.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Thought there were 2 separate RFIs out for MLH- one for ASW this is the 16 with possibility of 44 following. And there is a separate order for utility/spec ops helos with specialised gear and a2a refuelling capabilities.

 

[angeldemon_007]

And there is a separate order for utility/spec ops helos with specialised gear and a2a refuelling capabilities.

Is this that 12t one which was issued early this year ?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Is this that 12t one which was issued early this year ?

Possibly, so you don't think we can expect anything on this front for a while?

 

[angeldemon_007]

No only that 16 chopper deal is most likely to go ahead because rest of the deals are way back. IN has not even tested any contenders in the LUH competition and so that deal is not going to happen and 12t category RFI / RFP( i don't remember which one was it ) was issued this year only,so it will take a couple years for this one.

 

[Abingdonboy]

No only that 16 chopper deal is most likely to go ahead because rest of the deals are way back. IN has not even tested any contenders in the LUH competition and so that deal is not going to happen and 12t category RFI / RFP( i don't remember which one was it ) was issued this year only,so it will take a couple years for this one.

Why are IN lagging so much in rotary terms? And have they recognised the problems and taken steps to rectify them? I mean they seem to be more than happy with fixed wing acquisitions (Mig-29k, P-8,N-LCA etc).

 

[AMRITSAR]

corruption in India is the biggest minace and it is the father of all minace

 

[angeldemon_007]

Why are IN lagging so much in rotary terms?

Actually if you see IN's every project is delayed. We are not saying much about In because we have a much poor example of IA whose funds just vanishes year after year without any major purchase except Akash and Brahmos and few t90.

The p8i deal also took a long time to materialise before 2005 IN was lookig for P3C Orion and then in 2005 RFI was issued and then in 2008 the deal was signed.

 

[Archie]

Lets Take a look at what we have to replace

Currently we have 34 SeaKings and 19 Ka25/28 Helicopters in ASW and SAR roles
Now Indian Navy plans to replace these 53 copters in 2 Batches by inducting 60 Helicopters
Contract for first batch of 16 Helis with optional 44 Helis is expected to be signed by mid 2012 , These will replace 17 odd Sea Kings and 5 Ka28 which will retire by 2015-16
Frankly , i expect American SeaHawk or SeaKnight Helicopter to win this deal , which is expected to cost upto 2 Billion USD for 60 Helis
I expect India to sign the deal for follow on Helis after they receive the initial batch of 16 , which i believe will Equip 3 Kolkata class Destroyers , 3 Shivalik class Frigates and 3 Talwar class Frigates
The Second Batch of 44 helis could be ordered in 2015-16 to replace the remaining SeaKing and Ka28 Helis and to equip the 4 LPD/LHD which we plan to acquire as well as the 4 P15B Destroyers and 7 P17A Frigates

As far as 9 odd Ka31 AEW Helis are concerned , well they were inducted after 2001 , and hence unlikely to be replaced before 2025-27 and there replacement will be ordered only after induction of the 60 odd ASW Helis is complete

 

[Archie]

The Second Major Deal is for LUH to replace aging Alouette III
currently we have 51 of these Helis which have to be replaced by acquisition of 57 new LUH
Now i expect indian navy to award this tender to the Naval version of the winner of Indian Army/IAF Joint LUH tender , which could be announced by end of this yr or early next yr
I expect Eurocopter Fennec to win Indian Army/IAF deal , while Eurocopter Puma TO WIN Indian Navy deal , which could be signed by 2013-14