US SecDef Panetta to seal Apache attack heli deal during June 6 visit

[Bl[i]tZ]

Exactly a week before Indo-US strategic dialogue in Washington, US defence secretary Leon Panetta is coming to the Capital on June 6 to discuss long term defence cooperation and seal the big ticket $1.4 billion worth sale of 22 Apache Longbow attack helicopters to India.


Government sources said Panetta will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his Indian counterpart AK Antony as well as other senior leaders of the UPA government. Principal deputy assistant secretary of defence Dr Peter Lavoy was in Dehi today and briefed India about the Nato summit in Chicago on Afghanistan.

Secretary Panetta during his day long visit will share Pentagon's perception of political developments in China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, his main focus is going to be post 2014 scenario in Afghanistan after America withdraws from Kabul.

Both India and US are committed to a long term commitment to Afghanistan in order to have stablility in the regional neighbourhood. Panetta will be flying into India after attending the Shangri La dialogue in Singapore.

While the defence secretary will discuss long term defence cooperation with India, he will also ensure that the Apache deal is sealed during his visit. Pursued by India for the past two years, the Apache 64D II is possibily the best attack helicopter and has had a proven record in Iraq and Afghanistan operations. As of now, the two sides are trying to close the offsets part of the deal.

Terrorism is also going to be on the agenda for the bilateral talks with Panetta. A key player of Obama administration and a former CIA chief, he may also share the inside information about the US operation that took out Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad in Pakistan last May.

Panetta to seal Apache deal during June 6 visit - Hindustan Times

 

[arp2041]

more good news

 

[Abingdonboy]

Very nice, I wasn't expecting it so soon, I was thinking maybe August/December.

 

[Hulk]

Why only 22 why why why....This should be 88,minimum.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Why only 22 why why why....This should be 88,minimum.

22 is an initial order. Deal could well exceed 70/80 units. This is how Indian defence procurement works- once first deliveries are received (even before then maybe) we will most certainly here about follow-on orders.

 

[Hulk]

22 is an initial order. Deal could well exceed 70/80 units. This is how Indian defence procurement works- once first deliveries are received (even before then maybe) we will most certainly here about follow-on orders.

Any reason we do that?

 

[BordoEnes]

Any reason we do that?

Probably to make sure if the helo is worth your money.

 

[SamantK]

Probably to make sure if the helo is worth your money.

What does the lengthy field trials achieve then?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Probably to make sure if the helo is worth your money.

Some truth to that. Trials and analysis is one thing but actually getting the helo delivered and then having the opportunity to try out the product at your leisure in whatever way you see fit and actually see how the product performs in practice and not purely on paper. A "hands on" opputrunity to try in country could through up a whole host of issues not conceived nor addressed in trails and evaluations. Hence the smaller initial number followed by significantly larger follow on ordered once all are satisfied. It's smart to work this way otherwise you could find yourself committed to huge orders worth huge sums with little way to get out of it should an issue arise or your situation change. Many countries have unfortunately found themselves in this situation and it is a mess. Notably the RAF and their EFT orders.

What does the lengthy field trials achieve then?

Like I have outlined- trails cannot be expected to replicate actual ownership.



I have no doubt though that Boeing appreicates the potential of this deal and hence will go out of their way to impress the IAF, as LM did with the Super HERC. So expect on time (or earlier) delivery and on budget (likely with change). Similarly I have no doubt, as with C-130, IAF will be bowled over by the capabilities of the AH-64D Blk.III and will be very eager to get as many as MoD are willing to sanction.

 

[Hulk]

Some truth to that. Trials and analysis is one thing but actually getting the helo delivered and then having the opportunity to try out the product at your leisure in whatever way you see fit and actually see how the product performs in practice and not purely on paper. A "hands on" opputrunity to try in country could through up a whole host of issues not conceived nor addressed in trails and evaluations. Hence the smaller initial number followed by significantly larger follow on ordered once all are satisfied. It's smart to work this way otherwise you could find yourself committed to huge orders worth huge sums with little way to get out of it should an issue arise or your situation change. Many countries have unfortunately found themselves in this situation and it is a mess. Notably the RAF and their EFT orders.



Like I have outlined- trails cannot be expected to replicate actual ownership.



I have no doubt though that Boeing appreicates the potential of this deal and hence will go out of their way to impress the IAF, as LM did with the Super HERC. So expect on time (or earlier) delivery and on budget (likely with change). Similarly I have no doubt, as with C-130, IAF will be bowled over by the capabilities of the AH-64D Blk.III and will be very eager to get as many as MoD are willing to sanction.

In that case why increase the order before the delivery date?

 

[janon]

In that case why increase the order before the delivery date?

They won't. They usually have a provision for follow on orders, and that provision is exercised only after the first lot is delivered, inducted and fit into the military's doctrines. Like the phalcons or the P-8Is or C-130Js.

 

[Abingdonboy]

In that case why increase the order before the delivery date?

India hasn't increased the order as of yet and is unlikely until after this initial deal for 22 is signed and we are close to induction/have seen induction. Look at two similar yet different examples recently- the C-130 was inducted and soon after we heard IAF were very keen on taking up option of follow ons. P-8I option for 4 extra units was exercised before the induction of the first unit into IN- this could be because IN post signing of initial order appreciated the full capability of the Neptune and thus took up the option or they reassessed their needs and brought foreward plans to exercise their option. It really depends on what IAF assesses they need and on what timescale.

 

[Shatterpoint]

WOW awesome stuff, the Apache is coming, bow down guys lol, India is rising and the world looks on in anticipation, this is one mean machine, India is modernizing its military fast and that's a good thing.

 

[FaujHistorian]

Happy to see Indians getting a good platform.

peace.

p.s. Just watchout for the kill switch. We have them in our F-16 too.

 

[Varunastra]

Happy to see Indians getting a good platform.

peace.

p.s. Just watchout for the kill switch. We have them in our F-16 too.

....how did you arrive to this conclusion mate.???