India set to scout for 100 naval choppers

[Rashna]

India set to scout for 100 naval choppers

NEW DELHI: The armed forces' quest for new helicopters has seen controversies, scams and scrapping of tenders, much like the lingering Bofors ghost not allowing the induction of any new artillery howitzer in the Army for the last 30 years.

In a bid to break the jinx, the Centre is set to kick off the hunt for over 100 new-generation naval utility helicopters (NUH), which will replace the obsolete Chetak helicopters in the Navy, in a 'Make in India' project with foreign collaboration for over $2 billion.

Eleven Indian private sector companies, ranging from Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge, Mahindra Aerospace to Reliance Defence & Aerospace and L&T, have already responded with proposed joint ventures revolving around three foreign helicopters - AS565 MBe of Airbus, Bell Helicopters-429 and Super Lynx 300 of AgustaWestland.

With the armed forces planning to induct well over 1,000 helicopters of different types in the next 10-15 years, the Indian private sector eyes a big business opportunity in the country's aerospace sector, which has largely been domestic PSU Hindustan Aeronautics' preserve so far.

"The formal tender for the over 100 NUH is now being vetted before issuance. The project will give a fillip to the 'Make in India' initiative in the aerospace industry, with transfer of technology in niche areas not available here till now," said a source.

Though the Army and IAF also require 384 light-utility helicopters, the NUH is different since it needs wheeled landing gear, sea optimization, foldable blades and small dimensions to ensure it can fit into warship hangars. The capability for anti-submarine warfare with torpedoes and missiles is also required.

But like the Army-IAF case, the Navy's earlier tender for importing 56 NUH was cancelled to ensure the project becomes a 'Buy & Make (Indian)' venture.

In August last year, soon after the Modi government came to power, the defence ministry had scrapped the long-pending acquisition of 197 light-utility helicopters for Army-IAF from abroad due to irregularities.

Along with HAL's ongoing project to build 187 light helicopters, which was sanctioned in February 2009, the ministry of defence decided all the 197 choppers would also be made in India with foreign collaboration.

Officials, in fact, say the 'Buy & Make (Indian)' categorization of the light-utility helicopters has the potential to give Rs 40,000 crore worth of business to the domestic industry.

However, the decision also means the military's already long wait to replace their obsolete Cheetah/Chetak helicopters, used even in high-altitude areas like Siachen, will take several more years to materialize now.

India set to scout for 100 naval choppers - The Times of India

 

[tejas warrior]

Is HAL Dhruv can not do this job ?

 

[sgarg]

2B for 100 light utility helicopters converts to $20M per helicopter. These helicopters must be covered with gold foil it seems.

The Russian Ka226T costs less than $3 million per unit. This helicopter is best for naval use due to its compact size and very good sling load capacity. Even with some customization, the price will not exceed 400M for 100 helicopters.

No idea what is happening in these tenders and why prices are inflated so much. There is something stinking here. It seems defence services make up specs to favour certain companies, which in turn jack up prices substantially. End result is heavy loss to Indian exchequer.

 

[sob]

In 2012 the original RFP was for 56 Choppers and was valued at US $ 1 Billion. So if it is now 100 choppers US $ 2 Billion seems just about right.

Both Ka 60 and S 76 come in the bracket of US $ 10 to 13 Million per piece.

 

[salute]

2B for 100 light utility helicopters converts to $20M per helicopter. These helicopters must be covered with gold foil it seems.

The Russian Ka226T costs less than $3 million per unit. This helicopter is best for naval use due to its compact size and very good sling load capacity. Even with some customization, the price will not exceed 400M for 100 helicopters.

No idea what is happening in these tenders and why prices are inflated so much. There is something stinking here. It seems defence services make up specs to favour certain companies, which in turn jack up prices substantially. End result is heavy loss to Indian exchequer.

it must be including price of tot.

 

[sob]

it must be including price of tot.

Agree with you. The manufacturer will definitely charge for the technology in addition to the cost of the chopper

 

[Kunal Biswas]

LUH fits the category, Dhruv is heavier than what NAVY is looking for ..

Is HAL Dhruv can not do this job ?

 

[sob]

LUH fits the category, Dhruv is heavier than what NAVY is looking for ..

HAL has declined to participate in this. Making modification in the existing product will prove to be very expensive.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

The first 100 NUH is meant for the only foreign tenders, HAL was never meant to be in the tender as HAL is given order for LUH which is on for both Navy and Army so does Air-force ..

Not sure what you are talking about regarding HAL decline ( Provide Source ),platform, expenses, modifications and proved by whom about what ?

HAL has declined to participate in this. Making modification in the existing product will prove to be very expensive.

 

[sob]

The first 100 NUH is meant for the only foreign tenders, HAL was never meant to be in the tender as HAL is given order for LUH which is on for both Navy and Army so does Air-force ..

Not sure what you are talking about regarding HAL decline ( Provide Source ),platform, expenses, modifications and proved by whom about what ?

India issues RFP for 56 naval light utility helicopters - 8/22/2012 - Flight Global

At the Farnborough air show in July, HAL told Flightglobal that the challenges and expense involved in modifying its Dhruv advanced light helicopter for shipborne operations would preclude the indigenous type from the competition.

 

[sgarg]

In 2012 the original RFP was for 56 Choppers and was valued at US $ 1 Billion. So if it is now 100 choppers US $ 2 Billion seems just about right.

Both Ka 60 and S 76 come in the bracket of US $ 10 to 13 Million per piece.

The helicopters you mention are not LIGHT. These are medium - same category as Dhruv. These are NOT chetak replacements.

ka-60:
Capacity: **Up to 14 infantry troops or 6 stretchers
12-15 passengers (Ka-62)[10]
2,000 kg (internal), 2,500 kg (external)[11]
Length: 15.60 m[12] (51 ft 2¼ in)
Rotor diameter: 13.50 m (44 ft 3½ in)
Height: 4.60 m (15 ft 1 in)
Disc area: 143.10 m² (1,540.3 sq ft)
Max. takeoff weight: 6,500 kg[13] (14,330 lbs)

S76:
Capacity: seats 12–13
Length: 52 ft 6 in (16.00 m) from tip of main rotor to tip of tail rotor
Width: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) at horizontal stabilizer
Height: 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) to tip of tail rotor
Empty weight: 7,005 lb (3,177 kg) in utility configuration
Gross weight: 11,700 lb (5,307 kg)

 

[Kunal Biswas]

The report you have posted is very old ( 2012 ), Things have moved since then ..

Follow the links below ===============>

First Naval ALH squadron to be in Kochi
October 29, 2013

The Navy had earlier turned its back on the 5.5 tonne ALH, dismayed as it was over the dimensions of the 'unfoldable' helicopter-blade which rendered the otherwise successful platform incompatible for ship-borne operations.With the platform falling out of favour, all the ALH operated by the Navy were moved to Kochi sometime ago and their role largely limited to search and rescue. In the meantime, the platform was extensively used for trial of the dunking sonar Mihir, a 'technology demonstrator' indigenously developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), an institution under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The lab is currently developing an advanced version of low-frequency dunking sonar, which it is hopeful of inducting into the Navy in future."There's a shortage of helicopters in the Navy in all categories and acquisition processes are moving pretty slow. Which is one of the reasons why the force is contemplating buying more ALHs, which fall in the light-medium category," said a senior official.Another senior officer, on condition of anonymity, said with the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya arriving at Karwar in late December/early January, some of the ALHs would be dispatched to Karwar to carry out night-flying operations from the carrier.Meanwhile, the Navy is said to have taken a keen interest in the under-development weaponised version of ALH Dhruv, called Rudra, for conducting coastal surveillance and security operations.Developed by HAL, the Rudra underwent extensive trials over the sea in Kochi late last year, where its sensors reportedly fared exceedingly well, tracking vessels from as far as 12 to 14 kms.

Source : First Naval ALH squadron to be in Kochi - The Hindu

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Indian Navy And Coast Guard To Get 32 Dhruv Helicopters
Thursday, July 24, 2014

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has received approval to manufacture 32 Dhruv Mk III advanced light helicopters, to be divided equally between the Indian navy and the country's coastguard.

source : http://www.defenseworld.net/news/10...uard_To_Get_32_Dhruv_Helicopters#.VUDFbvCKjIY

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Indian Navy looking to add more Naval Dhruv to its fleet : Navy chief
December 02, 2014

Navy is looking for additional ALHs for enhanced maritime operations in the IOR. To a specific query whether the Navy would go for weaponised versions of ALH, the Navy Chief said: "Our requirements are different. Now we are using them for SAR (search and rescue) operations and as a utility copter.

source : Defence News - Indian Navy looking to add more Naval Dhruv to its fleet : Navy chief

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Over INS Vikramaditya

Dhruv squadrons operate over carriers as well as destroyers, frigates and land. Their are more on the way ..

Dhruv has nothing to do with this tender, Do not confuse ALH with ULH ..

India issues RFP for 56 naval light utility helicopters - 8/22/2012 - Flight Global

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Larger than Dhruv ..

The helicopters you mention are not LIGHT. These are medium - same category as Dhruv. These are NOT chetak replacements.

 

[Khagesh]

Appears like Ka-226 does not have fold-able blades even though it is in the category. And IN is asking for foldable blades.

Kamov Ka-126 | Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing - eBooks | Read eBooks online

 

[sob]

Kunal you have underlined it. ALH is being user for SAR and as a utility copter. it is jot for NUH for which the tender has been floated.

 

[archie]

This tender Involves seting up a brand new production line , Creation of Infrastructure for a second Helicopter aerospace industry . It will be a little bit more expensive than purchase from companies

 

[Blackwater]

Abolish tender system save India

 

[salute]

This tender Involves seting up a brand new production line , Creation of Infrastructure for a second Helicopter aerospace industry . It will be a little bit more expensive than purchase from companies

make in india, no more purchase

otherwise it will be same old story again and again,

buy stuff,keep using them till they become useless junk and then another tender in next 20 years,

so that middle man and khangress party keep getting rich.

 

[archie]

Abolish tender system save India

And do what ?? Middle men get rich? Tender is an industry process

 

[archie]

make in india, no more purchase

otherwise it will be same old story again and again,

buy stuff,keep using them till they become useless junk and then another tender in next 20 years,

so that middle man and khangress party keep getting rich.

Thats what i am saying .. its pegged bit more expensive cause it involve creation of a new production line, training and skills for a whole load of people involved i the manufacture