Indian Helicopter Programme Developments

摘要

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of India has scrapped a project to acquire 197 light utility helicopters (LUH) for the Indian armed forces but approved a plan to buy 16 multi-role helicopters for the navy. The Defence Ministry has also flagged the purchase of more Boeing AH-64E Apaches. The LUH had been intended to replace an ageing fleet of HAL Cheetah/ Chetak helicopters in service with the Indian Amy and Air Force. The Airbus Helicopters AS550C3 Fennec and Kamov Ka-226T were competing for the contract. Progress was halted while investigations were conducted into the separate WIP helicopter project, for which the AgustaWestland AW101 was selected before the programme was cancelled (see Indian AW101 Purchase Raises Questions Over LUH Programme, January 2013, p25). Recent reports in the Indian media suggest the tender will be re-issued, with the provision that the aircraft will be built locally. This will be the third attempt by India to select and procure a new LUH, after the original win in February 2007 by the AS550C3 was overturned three months later because of alleged discrepancies in the bidding process. The DAC meeting, held on August 29, cleared the way for the maritime helicopter acquisition project, with the bidding process to begin soon.