indian_foxhound
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The proposal to procure indigenous helicopters for paramilitary forces has run into rough weather with the home ministry (MHA) insisting that more than one vendor should take part in the bidding.
The ministry had earlier decided that state-run HAL would supply 12 ALH Dhruvs for use in medical emergencies and for operations in Jammu & Kashmir, the northeast and against Maoist extremists.
MHA officials said they were consulting the IAF but want the best chopper for paramilitary forces. The MHA position contradicts that of the defence ministry which insists on choppers manufactured by Indian companies while the armed forces prefer global vendors.
A senior MHA official said the BSF had procured the ALH and was not happy with it. We want more manufacturers to participate so that we can buy a better product. there are recurring problems and high maintenance with ALH. In some cases, it takes more than a year for HAL to deliver the the aircraft sent for maintenance, the official said.
The MHA wants other companies that make helicopters similar to the ALH to bid for the deal. This will also mean we can ask for certain specifications in the aircraft to suit the operational recruitment of our forces, he added.
The ministry decided to get choppers for paramilitary forces after they complained that they had to depend on the IAFs services and there was little or no cooperation from the Air Force.
This was highlighted by the controversy in January when IAF personnel left behind an injured constable in a helicopter that had crash-landed in Chhattisgarh after Naxalites had fired at it.
Paramilitary choppers can also be used to ferry personnel who have to travel long distances to reach home when they get short breaks.
MHA not happy with HAL-made choppers, wants more bidders | idrw.org
The ministry had earlier decided that state-run HAL would supply 12 ALH Dhruvs for use in medical emergencies and for operations in Jammu & Kashmir, the northeast and against Maoist extremists.
MHA officials said they were consulting the IAF but want the best chopper for paramilitary forces. The MHA position contradicts that of the defence ministry which insists on choppers manufactured by Indian companies while the armed forces prefer global vendors.
A senior MHA official said the BSF had procured the ALH and was not happy with it. We want more manufacturers to participate so that we can buy a better product. there are recurring problems and high maintenance with ALH. In some cases, it takes more than a year for HAL to deliver the the aircraft sent for maintenance, the official said.
The MHA wants other companies that make helicopters similar to the ALH to bid for the deal. This will also mean we can ask for certain specifications in the aircraft to suit the operational recruitment of our forces, he added.
The ministry decided to get choppers for paramilitary forces after they complained that they had to depend on the IAFs services and there was little or no cooperation from the Air Force.
This was highlighted by the controversy in January when IAF personnel left behind an injured constable in a helicopter that had crash-landed in Chhattisgarh after Naxalites had fired at it.
Paramilitary choppers can also be used to ferry personnel who have to travel long distances to reach home when they get short breaks.
MHA not happy with HAL-made choppers, wants more bidders | idrw.org