Indian naval community, HAL in war of words over latter’s capability to meet Navy’s requirement
NEW DELHI: Though the Ministry of Defence has yet to decide on which company would be the Indian partner– a private company or a public sector undertaking (PSU)– for Indian Navy's acquisition of 111 helicopters under the strategic partnership model, a war of words has been erupted between Indian naval aviation community and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), an aerospace and defence company, over the latter's capability to meet the Navy's requirement. After reports of a former Chief of Naval Staff calling them ‘lethargic, deadbeat' for their lack of initiative in delivering a ship-worthy Dhruv helicopter, a top official of HAL has reportedly come out in support of the company by reacting sharply.
Following the reaction, Vice-admiral Shekhar Sinha, former chief of the Western Naval Command and of the Integrated Defence Staff reportedly said: “It is with utter dismay that I see HAL'S response to Admiral's comment. It is surprising that HAL has retorted in this manner. With conviction I can say that HAL dragged the issue of NUH for a number of years after it failed to meet naval air staff qualitative requirements (NASQRS) in 2003. HAL must also be reminded that in 2011 they gave in writing that they (HAL) cannot meet the NASQRS of NUH, since they cannot manufacture auto blade folding mechanisms. It was HAL that signed off on Mod's decision, therefore, to approve steps to identify an import option for the Indian Navy.”
As per the report, HAL chairman R Madhavan has declared the comment of the former Chief of Naval Staff ‘below the belt'. “This is something that shouldn't have happened, and we didn't like it. Sometimes when they hit below the belt, some of our people have retorted. We hope that it comes to a stop now,” the chairman reportedly said to a news website.
About the concerns that the Dhruv hasn't met specific
Indian Navy requirements for nearly two decades, resulting in search for foreign helicopters for the purpose, the chairman made what could be construed as a serious allegation against the Indian Navy, saying, “The Dhruv needs a couple of changes that we are working on, which includes blade-folding and boom-folding, which will bring it to the dimensions required by the Navy. The Indian Navy is looking to acquire its Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) through the Strategic Partnership route targeting foreign aircraft, particularly one aircraft. The NUH RFQ/RFI was designed for that. If the Dhruv can be modified to meet requirements, then why not an indigenous product?” Notably, the acquisition, estimated to be worth Rs 21,738 crore, of Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) is the first one being processed under the new Strategic Partner procurement model. It is aimed to boost domestic manufacturing in collaboration with foreign firms.
Earlier, Indian Navy had shortlisted three foreign and four private Indian companies. But now discussion over making state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) the strategic partner has delayed the entire acquisition process. "There is a lack of consensus within the Ministry of Defence as to whether Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) should be made the strategic partner or private firms," said a source in the ministry. This has further delayed the issuance of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Naval Utility Helicopters. In 2019-end, the Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Sigh was expected to give a final clearance next week for the Request of Proposal (RFP) after having identified the Indian firms and foreign manufacturers who will get together for the production of the helicopters. But it did not happen and the matter was referred back to Indian Navy to consider the proposal of involving Defence PSUS. The decision to go with private Indian industry was taken in August 2018.
Out of the 111 helicopters, 95 will be manufactured in India by the selected Indian Strategic Partner. These helicopters will replace the ageing Chetaks and would be used for search and rescue operations, casualty evacuation, low-intensity marine operations and torpedo drops.
Sources said that the Navy has lost around five Chetak helicopters in the last seven years. Further, Chetaks' availability with the Navy will reduce by 2023 considerably. To procure helicopters was first proposed in 2008. The procurement was under the 'buy global' category.