Indian Navy Multi-Role Helicopter Competition To Kickstart Again

[Rikbo]

@Rikbo
which is better ASW MH-60R or S-70B

Both offer similar capabilities. I consider the 70B to be the better aircraft for the IN due to the following:
1. Design and implementation of the avionics and mission systems. The 70B has a more user friendly and intuitive operator design than the 60R, in my opinion.
2. Use of a federated architecture design makes it easier to modify and add enhancements.
3. Superior support from Sikorsky for the entire aircraft, especially the avionics and mission systems. I do not have a high opinion of Lockheed as an integrator or as a support organization.
4. Newer weapons management system and flight control system offer growth and enhanced capabilities.

 

[Rikbo]

Looks like the S-70B is the winner. Several news sources reporting NH90 has been rejected!
Finmeccanica out, US’s Sikorsky joins Navy copter acquisition race - The Times of India

 

[sancho]

Looks like the S-70B is the winner. Several news sources reporting NH90 has been rejected!
Finmeccanica out, US’s Sikorsky joins Navy copter acquisition race - The Times of India

Actually the media is speculating that the NH90 is out based on the corruption issues of Finmeccanica, but that doesn't automatically mean Sikorsky won, because it basically puts the tender in a single vendor sitation and even the new MoD tried to avoid that and basically allowed Finmeccanica in tenders, unless there are multiple other options available. So we might need propper confirmations about the reasons first.

P.S. The NH90 is not an Finmeccanica helicopter, Finmeccanica is not even the prime company behind NH industries, so banning the helicopter because of Finmeccanica would be a strange step and more than in this tender, it might impact the MMRCA, where Finmeccanica is part of the EF consortium via it's subsidiary Alenia.

 

[Rikbo]

Actually the media is speculating that the NH90 is out based on the corruption issues of Finmeccanica, but that doesn't automatically mean Sikorsky won, because it basically puts the tender in a single vendor sitation and even the new MoD tried to avoid that and basically allowed Finmeccanica in tenders, unless there are multiple other options available. So we might need propper confirmations about the reasons first.

P.S. The NH90 is not an Finmeccanica helicopter, Finmeccanica is not even the prime company behind NH industries, so banning the helicopter because of Finmeccanica would be a strange step and more than in this tender, it might impact the MMRCA, where Finmeccanica is part of the EF consortium via it's subsidiary Alenia.

@sancho - I agree, the deal is not done until they open the envelopes. Even then, price negotiations have to occur, so this is tender still has some way to go. Augustawestland is a wholly owned subsidiary of NH so that may have played into this rejection issue since it makes up 32% of NH Industries.

 

[sancho]

@sancho - I agree, the deal is not done until they open the envelopes. Even then, price negotiations have to occur, so this is tender still has some way to go. Augustawestland is a wholly owned subsidiary of NH so that may have played into this rejection issue since it makes up 32% of NH Industries.

I have some doubts on that, since that would set a precedence to reject any product that has Finmeccanica involved and as said, that would impact way more in the MMRCA tender since the EF would need to be rejected too and the government can't afford to get into a single vendor situation there, it's far big to fail.

In this case, I would think that Sikorskys offer was just selected as L1, since the article also says:

Now, the Sikorsky bid will undergo evaluation and final price negotiations will follow

That's the same as in MMRCA, when Rafale was selected as L1 and Dassault was stated as prefered for final negotiations. So I'm bit cautious about the rejection part, not necessarily about Sikorsky winning this tender.
What's more interesting though is, the larger order including licence production, the disappointing US visit of the PM and the recent rejection of Javelin ATGMs for ToT/Offset issues still shows the problems of US products on the Indian market when it comes to the big orders.

 

[Rikbo]

I have heard the envelope opening ceremony has been held. Waiting on the official announcement.

 

[Abingdonboy]

I have heard the envelope opening ceremony has been held. Waiting on the official announcement.

Wow, good stuff! Here is hoping for an order of S-70Bs soon then- The Sea Kings need to be gone yesterday!

+ @Rikbo sir, have you heard anything about the IN/MoD looking to licence produce the S-70B in India as apparently the new government has shown an inclination towards as the total requirement for S-70Bs/NMRHs is quite huge in the IN.

 

[Rikbo]

@Abingdonboy - Yes, there have already been discussions to address that with India. It will all depend on the next aircraft buy. A 16 aircraft buy does not offer the economics to stand up India with a manufacturing capability. The subsequent planned buy of many more aircraft (124?) would allow that to happen. Sikorsky has already done this in Poland and Turkey.

 

[Abingdonboy]

@Abingdonboy - Yes, there have already been discussions to address that with India. It will all depend on the next aircraft buy. A 16 aircraft buy does not offer the economics to stand up India with a manufacturing capability. The subsequent planned buy of many more aircraft (124?) would allow that to happen. Sikorsky has already done this in Poland and Turkey.

I believe the total requirements NMRHs within the IN is above the 100 figure indeed. Let's wait and see what happens beyond the first 16 which will of course be 100% built in the US.

It's a shame this deal hadn't been conducted in a more MMRCA like way i.e. a huge requirement, initial orders delivered solely from abroad but the remaining built in India with increasing levels of indigenisation.

 

[Rikbo]

I believe the total requirements NMRHs within the IN is above the 100 figure indeed. Let's wait and see what happens beyond the first 16 which will of course be 100% built in the US.

It's a shame this deal hadn't been conducted in a more MMRCA like way i.e. a huge requirement, initial orders delivered solely from abroad but the remaining built in India with increasing levels of indigenisation.

It's official, the Indian Navy has selected the S-70B! Now the fun begins! Anyone know whom in the MOD I might contact to submit my resume to offer my services to the IN to help them in the acquisition of the S-70B?
Navy to purchase 16 US multi-role choppers for $1 billion - The Economic Times

 

[Abingdonboy]

It's official, the Indian Navy has selected the S-70B! Now the fun begins! Anyone know whom in the MOD I might contact to submit my resume to offer my services to the IN to help them in the acquisition of the S-70B?
Navy to purchase 16 US multi-role choppers for $1 billion - The Economic Times

Great news indeed!

If you are serious about offering your services to the MoD you should contact the MoD directly (email is your best bet) or contact your embassy in India who can put you in touch with the right people in the MoD.