Defence forces to induct 1,000 helicopters by 2020

plugwater

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Attack helicopter evaluation trials likely in summer

With the Indian Air Force embarking on modernisation, the skies over different parts of the country will witness yet another high-profile test with evaluations of attack helicopters due to start this summer.

Seeking to get off the mark, Boeing is fielding the AH-64D Apache helicopter for the trials, Dean Millsap, regional director, Asia Pacific International Business Development, told a group of visiting Indian journalists here.

Mr. Millisap said an IAF team was due to arrive in the United States and thereafter dates for the trials in different weather conditions would be finalised. Boeing is among the international companies that responded to the Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the IAF last year for supply of 22 attack helicopters.

These will replace the Russian-made attack helicopters being operated by the IAF. Boeing is also offering Chinooks, its tandem rotor, twin engine, heavy lift twin rotor helicopters. The deal is estimated to be around $ 2 billion.

The Boeing representative told the journalists, after a tour of the facility where Chinooks are manufactured, that in the case of Apache, India would get the Block 3 helicopter, the same version that was being acquired by the U.S. Air Force.

Since 1984, over 1,700 Apache attack helicopters have been manufactured and Block 3 came on the assembly line last year equipped with improved target detection, increased situational awareness and survivability. One of the features, he said, was connectivity with unmanned aerial vehicles.

The present-day Apache helicopters can perform multimissions, including with fire-and-forget missiles, auxiliary fuel tanks, air-to-air missiles, crashworthy structure, advanced sensors, advanced targeting sight and integrated electronic maintenance.

Boeing is also augmenting its manufacturing facility to meet its orders by ramping up production from 4.5 Chinooks a month to six by 2011. The company is in the race for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft and has completed a set of trials.

http://idrw.org/?p=1646
 

nandu

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IAF combat and heavy-lift chopper trials to begin by July

The Indian Air Force (IAF) seems set for trials of new combat and heavy lift helicopters this summer, possibly from June or July, as Boeing gets ready to field its latest versions of AH 64D Apache and Chinook CH-47F helicopters.

So confident is Boeing that its top executives say the company is looking forward to be the first in the trials so as to set benchmarks that others in the competition cannot possibly match.

The US spends so much on Research & Development (R&D) that "our products are unbeatable in hi-tech and precision engagement", Dean Millsap, Regional Director, Asia Pacific for Boeing Rotorcraft Systems told India Strategic (www.indiastrategic.in) defence magazine.

The heavy lift Chinook, for instance, is the only helicopter that can land on water in an emergency, and also operate just above the water level to land or evacuate troops or people in a natural disaster situation.

IAF is looking for 22 Attack and 15 Heavy Lift helicopters as replacement for its Soviet vintage Mi 35 Attack and Mi 26 Heavy Lift machines which have served well but are too old now either to carry on or bear the burden of modern technology. The RfP for the two new aircraft was issued last year and besides Boeing, Russia's Rosoboronexport has offered newer versions of Mi 35 and Mi 26.

Italy's Finmeccanica, which owns AgustaWestland now, has offered the Mangusta attack helicopter, currently in service with the Italian Army. AgustaWestland has already won the IAF's order for 12 VIP helicopters.

As in case of the combat jets for the Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCAs), trials for which have just been over, field trials for both the new helicopters would be held in hot and humid weather in the deserts of Rajasthan and the heights of the Himalayas, Jaisalmer and Leh included.

The Indian Army and Air Force are already holding trials for the utility helicopters in these regions, which are required in large numbers from imported and indigenous production kits. There is no Transfer of Technology (ToT) clause though for manufacturing the Attack and Heavy Lift helicopters in India.

Notably, IAF's Mi 35s have been upgraded over the last few years with Israeli night-fighting devices, but the airframes are too old for any more technology insertions. IAF had acquired half a dozen Mi 26 choppers for ferrying supplies to the Himalayas but hardly a couple of them are now able to fly, one problem being the lack of spares as its manufacturing facilities have closed down after the disintegration of the Soviet Union 20 years back.

Mi 26 is a huge machine though, equivalent to an An-12 aircraft that the IAF once used to fly.

But Millsap says: "No helicopter can match the stability of the Chinook, whose contra-rotating twin-rotors withstand rough weather in land, mountains and sea."

In Afghanistan, where the US and NATO forces are fighting the Al Qaida and Taliban terrorists, Chinooks maintain a steady supply to the troops while the Apaches give them cover if required in a battlezone.

Adds Vivek Lall, vice president and India country head for Boeing Defense and Space (BDS): "The Apache will be a capable and lethal defender of India's troops and assets, while the Chinook will answer many of the Indian military and humanitarian requirements."

While Millsap briefed a visiting Indian media group, invited by Boeing, on the capabilities of the AH 64D Block III, which is still under development, other company executives, Jack Dougherty and Mark Bellow, highlighted the capabilities of the Chinook with graphic footage from the troubled Afghan mountains.

The first Block III Apache would be delivered to the US Army in 2011 and to the IAF within three years or less of the signing of an agreement, Boeing officials said.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/IAF-c...-trials-to-begin-by-July/Article1-550787.aspx
 

AJSINGH

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just 22 attack helicopters , that too less for the size of India
 

neo29

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In a massive multi billion dollar acquisition programme, the Indian Armed Forces plan to induct more than 1,000 indigenous and foreign helicopters for attack, transport and utility operations by the end of this decade.
The choppers to be inducted into the Army, Navy and Air Force include around 450 light utility, 12 VVIP, over 200 attack, 139 Mi-17 transport and 15 heavy-lift helicopters and over 50 multi-role helicopters for the Navy, Defence Ministry officials told PTI here.
Giving details of the various deals, they said the contract to replace and augment the existing Cheetah and Chetak fleets of the Armed Forces is expected to be finalised by the end of this year.
"The trials have been completed and after analysing the evaluation report, a vendor would be chosen to supply 197 LUHs to the Army and the Air Force," an official said.
Another 187 similar choppers would be produced indigenously by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and its design has already been completed, he said.
The Navy is also planning to procure more than 60 twin-engine choppers to replace its vintage Cheetah and Chetak helicopters and has already initiated the acquisition process for the purpose.
To strengthen its fleet of Russian Mi-35 and Mi-25 combat helicopters, the IAF is planning to acquire 22 attack helicopters for which Boeing"s Apache 64-D and Russian Mi-28 are the contenders.
"Trials for the tender have been completed and the report has been submitted with the Air Headquarters and the deal would be signed in the near future," the official said.
The HAL is also developing the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), 200 which will be supplied to both the IAF and the Army to meet their demands.
By mid-2011, India will also start inducting 139 Mi-17 helicopters from Russia, which would be inducted in batches within two to three years.
The first 80 choppers would augment the present fleet and the remaining will take care of the ones to be phased out in the near future, the officials said.
They said the IAF is also in final stages of trials for procuring 15 heavy-lift helicopters to replace the fleet of Russian-origin Mi-26.
Russian Mi-26 and the Boeing twin-rotor Chinook 47D are in the race for the tender.
The trials to procure 16 Multirole Helicopters (MRF) for the Navy are also expected to begin in April-May this year and American Sikorsky-70B and European NH-90 are the contenders for supplying the choppers, they added. .

http://idrw.org/?p=884
 

debasree

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woh ! thats a very good news we should concentrate three main things mobility,firepower& intelligence .
 

natarajan

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recently one of the congress men son got married and they got bell helicopter as gift,but when it comes to jawans,still airforce pilots loosing lifes using old cheetas but congress needs a decade to replace but congress netas want to be safe,example immediate procurement of 12 vvip helicopters
 

Rahul92

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1000 New Attack, Transport, Utility Helicopters for Indian Armed Forces by 2020

In a massive multi billion dollar acquisition programme, the Indian Armed Forces plan to induct more than 1,000 indigenous and foreign helicopters for attack, transport and utility operations by the end of this decade. The choppers to be inducted into the Army, Navy and Air Force include around 450 light utility, 12 VVIP, over 200 attack, 139 Mi-17 transport and 15 heavy-lift helicopters and over 50 multi-role helicopters for the Navy, Defence Ministry officials told Press Trust of India.



Giving details of the various deals, they said the contract to replace and augment the existing Cheetah and Chetak fleets of the Armed Forces is expected to be finalised by the end of this year. "The trials have been completed and after analysing the evaluation report, a vendor would be chosen to supply 197 LUHs to the Army and the Air Force," an official said.

Another 187 similar choppers would be produced indigenously by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and its design has already been completed, he said. The Navy is also planning to procure more than 60 twin-engine choppers to replace its vintage Cheetah and Chetak helicopters and has already initiated the acquisition process for the purpose.

To strengthen its fleet of Russian Mi-35 and Mi-25 combat helicopters, the IAF is planning to acquire 22 attack helicopters for which Boeing''s Apache 64-D and Russian Mi-28 are the contenders. "Trials for the tender have been completed and the report has been submitted with the Air Headquarters and the deal would be signed in the near future," the official said. The HAL is also developing the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), 200 which will be supplied to both the IAF and the Army to meet their demands.

By mid-2011, India will also start inducting 139 Mi-17 helicopters from Russia, which would be inducted in batches within two to three years. The first 80 choppers would augment the present fleet and the remaining will take care of the ones to be phased out in the near future, the officials said. They said the IAF is also in final stages of trials for procuring 15 heavy-lift helicopters to replace the fleet of Russian-origin Mi-26. Russian Mi-26 and the Boeing twin-rotor Chinook 47D are in the race for the tender.

The trials to procure 16 Multirole Helicopters (MRF) for the Navy are also expected to begin in April-May this year and American Sikorsky-70B and European NH-90 are the contenders for supplying the choppers, they added.
 

Rahul92

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For heavy lift helicopters my money is on Boeing twin-rotor Chinook 47D

Boeing twin-rotor Chinook 47D



Russian-origin Mi-26
 

Rahul92

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American Sikorsky-70B


I think NH-90 may be the winner
 

pmaitra

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Transport Helicopters

Transport Helicopters

These are most likely to be the Mil-17 family of helicopters and will probably be sourced from the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.

Mi-171Sh Combat-transport helicopter






Mi-171Sh helicopter is a military-transport version of Mi-171 helicopter, which is one of the most intensively operated helicopters in its class. Mi-171 Sh helicopter was developed on the basis of comprehensive analysis of Russian helicopters' operation in combat activities in local armed conflicts. As the result, the Russian designers succeeded to create a helicopter able to effectively solve a wide range of tasks in the real combat conditions.

Mi-171Sh military-transport helicopter is a considerably new helicopter for the world market – it was first sold as recently as in 2002. Nevertheless, in a range of countries in South-Eastern and Central Asia, in Middle East and in Africa, in Europe (including the NATO countries) and CIS it has proved to be a reliable, effective in operation and simple in maintenance helicopter.

Purpose
  • transportation and tactical assault landing of up to 36 troops;
  • transportation of up to 12 casualties on stretchers, accompanied by medics;
  • transportation of cargoes up to 4000 kg in cargo compartment;
  • transportation of cargoes up to 4000 kg on external sling;
  • highly-effective elimination of hostile manpower, armored vehicles, water surface targets, buildings, fortified firing point, and other movable and stationary targets.
  • troop fire support
  • escorting the military columns
  • CSAR
  • reconnaissance operations
  • patrolling
  • civil operations (search-and-rescue operations, firefighting, etc.)
In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, all kinds of military equipment, including Mi-171Sh, can only be supplied abroad by FSUE "Rosoboronexport", the Russian state special exporter.

Mi-171 helicopter in VIP-version



Mi-171 helicopter in VIP version is presently one of the most popular VIP helicopters of medium/heavy class. This helicopter is used for transportation of presidents, high-rank military and civilian officials, businessmen of many countries.

Comfortable conditions for work and rest in flight, high safety level, excellent performance – these are the most relevant constituents for the success of Mi-171 helicopter in VIP version.

The helicopter is designed for transportation up to 14 people accompanied by a flight attendant in increased comfort conditions.

Mi-171 helicopter has Type Certificate, issued by ARIAC, as well as Type Acceptance Certificates in a number of countries.

Comfortable VIP compartment

  • large VIP compartment
  • separate compartment for accompanying personnel
  • separate VIP compartment
  • individual compartment design
  • finishing with high-quality materials
  • air conditioning system
  • heating system
  • passenger address system
  • low level of vibration
  • low level of noise
  • different kinds of lighting
  • VIP sofas, VIP armchairs and extending tables
  • satellite telephone
  • conference communication system
  • audio/video system
  • external view camera
  • mini bar
  • coat room
  • luggage compartment
  • lavatory
  • two entrance ramp doors (portside and rear)


Mi-171 multifunctional helicopter









Mi-171 helicopter is one of the most successful designs of the Russian helicopter-building school. This helicopter is the result of deep modernization of Mi-8, the largest quantity helicopter in the world with total flight hours over 100 million hours. Mi-171 helicopter incorporates the best qualities of its famous predecessor and at the same time it gained new capabilities due to introduction of modern technologies. Shortly the helicopter and its modifications were accepted for operation in more than 30 countries. Year after year the number of the countries, operating Mi-171 helicopter, grows bigger.

High performance, reliability, simplicity of operation and maintenance, employment in a wide range of operation conditions, multi-functionality, acceptable price – these are the properties of Mi-171 helicopter, that have won it the trust of Operators all over the world. Mi-171 helicopter has Type Certificate, issued by ARIAC, as well as Type Acceptance Certificates in a number of countries.

Purpose

  • transportation of up to 37 troops/service passengers in full equipment on troop seats;
  • transportation of 26 people on passenger seats;
  • transportation of cargoes with weight up to 4000 kg in cargo compartment;
  • transportation of cargoes with weight up to 4000 kg on external sling;
  • search-and-rescue operations;
  • firefighting;
  • patrolling;
  • transportation of up to 12 casualties on stretchers, accompanied by medical staff;
  • emergency medical care in field conditions;
  • lifting, loading and unloading the cargoes in flight.

Mi-171 helicopter enters "100 best merchandises of Russia, 2010"
 
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Rahul92

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I would like to know the prices also so that we can get a better idea of it
 

pmaitra

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^^ for the Ulan Ude Aviation Plant, all they have is the contact information ([email protected]). I think prices are subject to negotiations.
 
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bhramos

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Could anyone post that our PM uses??? which is similar to this one in blue and white

 

bhramos

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I would like to know the prices also so that we can get a better idea of it
when ever you compare the prices Russian helicopters would be cheaper to its counterparts.......
 

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