SINGAPORE: Apache ‘last man standing’ in India helicopter competition

[Lord Of Gondor]

The Mi-53s were UPG'd by IAI/IMI in 2006-7 with addition of modern avionics like EW suites/counter measures, glass cockpit ,FLIR and turret mounted MG (as well as other techs). But that doesn't mean they can compete with the AH-64 Blk.III- NO WAY!!!!

True,but why replace A/C that have been "modernized" some 4-5 years ago?!
And IIRC,we have around 2 Squadrons of these and the (although,initial) number of AH64's makes just 1Squadron(22)!
(Or am i missing something here?)

 

[Abingdonboy]

True,but why replace A/C that have been "modernized" some 4-5 years ago?!
And IIRC,we have around 2 Squadrons of these and the (although,initial) number of AH64's makes just 1Squadron(22)!
(Or am i missing something here?)

Well if deal is signed in FY2012 (what I hear) deliveries will begin 18 months later (2013-14) so the UPG Mi-35 will be 6-7 years in service not to mention the decades of service before UPG so right on the end of their usable life.


Regarding the number, this is almost certain to increase- the 22 order comes with provision for same number again (doubling) and I have heard the number could increse for 3-4 SQDs of AH-64s (60-80 machines) but this is just how Indian defence procurement works. Small initial number followed by later much larger follow on orders, it's a good thing these days India is going for more US platforms as this policy has worked disastrously in the past but with US efficeny in time and cost it is a perfect partnership.

 

[sancho]

And IIRC,we have around 2 Squadrons of these and the (although,initial) number of AH64's makes just 1Squadron(22)!(Or am i missing something here?)

No, 22 = 2 x squads! 10 for combats and 1 trainer in each squads, same numbers as the Mi 35s now.

 

[angeldemon_007]

@sudhir007
Why opened a new thread ? Whats new about this news ??? Look you yourself posted the same thread a couple months back...

http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian...st-man-standing-indian-attack-helo-trial.html

Don't post unnecessary threads...

 

[trinity]

Let me ask you, the CBI reported that Indians have stashed abroad 500 Billion Dollars and the gov;t is not taking any action to reveal the details about the Swiss Bank info. Why are so many Indians so quiet and not doing expressing outrage?

 

[sherindian]

indian should rather build a bigger version of lch than going for foreign helicopter..

 

[IndoUS]

indian should rather build a bigger version of lch than going for foreign helicopter..

While I agree with you I would say that we should first learn and improve on the LCH, the LCH program is still in development and testing phase so there is no need to go for another program. It will only delay the other programs, first we should workout the LCH and then go for heavier class of helicopter gunships.

 

[sherindian]

While I agree with you I would say that we should first learn and improve on the LCH, the LCH program is still in development and testing phase so there is no need to go for another program. It will only delay the other programs, first we should workout the LCH and then go for heavier class of helicopter gunships.

lch is still under testing and we dont know its complete potential and i believe its beautifully engineered helicopter. with half the weight it can carry double the weapons as wz 10 of china. high use of composites and stealth. Apache is 25 yrs old helicopter even though its better in many aspects like speed and weapon carrying. anyways both are comparable helicopters.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Let me ask you, the CBI reported that Indians have stashed abroad 500 Billion Dollars and the gov;t is not taking any action to reveal the details about the Swiss Bank info. Why are so many Indians so quiet and not doing expressing outrage?

Because this isn't news to most Indians. However I am more optimistic than ever that a significant proportion of this Indian money can be returned to the treasury (of course recovering all of it is VERY improbable). Mostly because there is a degree of political will to do so and the fact many professional agencies/organisations are involved in the process. Not to mention with India's political clout increasing day by day it is able to put more pressure on the nations that are recipients of this "black" money which has always been such a bane for any Indian agency pursuing the cash flows. In this age money can be transferred from havan to havan in seconds but the international regulations require Indian authorities (CBI is the lead in this case) to submit a formal request to retrieve information on every single transfer. As such the CBI ends up submitting dozens of requests and can get nowhere. Hence the recovery process is highly political and as such India now stands a better chance than ever to retrieve the money. Mark my words, going by many recent news in this regard, we are defiantly in for quite a plasant surprise soon when the money flows are reversed.