India clears ₹21.7K-crpre project to replace ageing Chetak choppers

NEW DELHI: India set the ball rolling for the purchase of 111 naval utility helicopters (NUHs) on Tuesday, with the defence ministry approving a ₹ 21,738- cro reproject to replace the Navy’s outdated fleet of French-designed Chetak choppers.

The government’s defence acquisition council (DAC), headed by defence minister Nirm ala Sit ha ram an, has taken this decision at a time when the Navy is struggling to bridge capability gap sand a majority of its 140 warships are operating without utility helicopters.

With the DAC according its ‘acceptance of necessity’ (AoN), the government moves a step closer to releasing a global tender for the five-tonne class helicopters. US, European and Russian suppliers are expected to compete for the lucrative deal by stitching up alliances with Indian firms under the government’s ‘strategic partnership’ model.

A defence ministry source said 16 of the choppers will be bought in flyaway condition from a foreign military contractor, and the remaining 95 will be built in partnership with an Indian firm.

Under the Make in India plan, the country’ s arms procurement rules allow the direct purchase of weapons and systems from a foreign vendor under the‘ strategic partnership’ policy.

It stipulates that “a minimum number, not exceeding 10-15% of the units being pro cured, maybe manufactured on the premises of the original equipment manufacturer ”.

Such choppers are used for multiple purposes, including search and rescue operations, medical evacuation, communication duties, anti-piracy and antiterrorism operations, humanitarian assistance, surveillance and targeting.

The Navy released two requests for information (RFIs) for 123 naval multi-role helicopters( NM RHs)and111N UH st his August. The multi-billion dollar NMRH programme to replace obsolete Westland Sea King helicopters isy et to come up for DAC approval.

The August RFI said that the NUHs being bought in flyaway condition should be supplied within five years of the contract being signed, and the remaining between five and 13 years of the contract under the “make category” (built in India).

The twin-engine helicopter, meant to be flown by two pilots, will have wheeled landing gear and blade-fold capability. India wants the choppers built in the country to have 40% indigenous parts.

Initially, a few basic helicopters maybe delivered to meet the Navy’s immediate training and search-and-rescue needs. These will be upgraded later.

US, EUROPEAN AND RUSSIAN RIVALS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPETE FOR THE LUCRATIVE DEAL BY TYING UP WITH INDIAN FIRMS