Navy to add Special Ops helicopters to its fleet

[ashok321]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-helicopters-to-its-fleet/article19588940.ece

With expanding profile in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Indian Navy is looking to add dedicated helicopters for Special Operations in its fleet. Some of the Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) for which the tender was issued last week will be in this configuration.

“Of the 123 NMRH to be procured, 33 will be dedicated variants for Special Operations," a senior officer told The Hindu.

Last week the Navy had issued the Request for Information (RFI) to global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) for the procurement of 123 NMRH and 111 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH). The procurement would be under the recently approved Strategic Partnership (SP) model of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).

Some of the 33 helicopters would be used for training Marine Commandoes (MARCOS) and the rest would be based on shore as well as on frontline warships, the officer added.

The helicopters would be twin-engine and weigh atleast 12.5 tonnes. According to the RFI, the requirements include the ability to carry 12 fully equipped troops along with 400 Kg of equipment or eight fully equipped troops and one auto inflatable craft in a stowed configuration.

In addition to special ops and commando role, the helicopters will also perform other roles like troop carriage, maritime interdiction including anti-piracy operations, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), external cargo carriage, limited casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

The Navy currently has a few variants of Sea King helicopters in service in a commando role. But they are of 1970s vintage and technologically obsolete. Several attempts to replace them have repeatedly failed.

The SP model was approved in May in an attempt to develop domestic defence manufacturing and promote the private sector. The model forms the Chapter 7 of the DPP.

Helicopters play a crucial role in clearing the path for the warships and battle groups as they move on the high seas and they are also the first responders to a distress call.