Indian light helicopter tender launched

According to local news outlets the Indian government released a much anticipated tender for light utility helicopters that could be worth up to $750 million. The tender is for 197 helicopters to replace the army and air force's ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak aircraft.

The tender is expected to request deliveries of the aircraft to begin in 2010 with the army to take 133 aircraft and the Indian Air Force requesting 64 helicopters. The tender is being issued to six companies these are US manufacturers Bell Helicopters, Boeing, Sikorsky as well as Eurocopter, Rosenbroexport and Augusta Westland.

As well as offering the right aircraft all the companies will be expected to offer industrial offsets of at least 50 per cent. The aircraft the companies are being asked to offer are all off the shelf. Ongoing maintenance and support of the helicopters is to be handled by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

The helicopters will be expected to operate in the cold high conditions of India's mountainous regions bordering on China and Pakistan. The current fleet is struggling to continue to operate under the conditions at a time when India wants to bolster its defences.

Separately the defence ministry is also looking at a purchase of attack helicopters.