Multi Role Helicopters (MRH) to be inducted into Indian Navy

[Neil]

Offsets Holding Back Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Contract


Delays in the $1 billion Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter tender may be attributed to offsets agreement and not contender NH Industries.The company had previously claimed that its rival Sikorsky could not have met all the conditions of the Navy's request for proposals.Indian Navy, for the second time this year, delayed the tender asking the two vendors to extend the validity of their proposals until December 31st without elaborating.

According to an informed source, the delay stems from negotiations over offset clauses and that the issues resulting from the letter NH Industries sent the MoD claiming Sikorsky's S70B does not meet a number of parameters as outlined in the RFP is no longer relevant.

The primary role of the winning helicopter would be to serve anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, while its secondary role would include search and rescue, cargo carrying and casualty evacuation.

As per the tender, the winning bidder would be required to supply the first MRH within 46 months in three phases. The Navy will also have the option of placing orders for another 44 helicopters, once the present contract is completed.

"We have satisfied all requirements and are waiting for the lowest bidder to be announced," said Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Arvind Walia, Regional Executive, India and South Asia, Sikorsky when questioned about progress in the NMRH tender.


Offsets Holding Back Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Contract | idrw.org

 

[Rikbo88]

Offsets Holding Back Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Contract


Delays in the $1 billion Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter tender may be attributed to offsets agreement and not contender NH Industries.The company had previously claimed that its rival Sikorsky could not have met all the conditions of the Navy's request for proposals.Indian Navy, for the second time this year, delayed the tender asking the two vendors to extend the validity of their proposals until December 31st without elaborating.

According to an informed source, the delay stems from negotiations over offset clauses and that the issues resulting from the letter NH Industries sent the MoD claiming Sikorsky's S70B does not meet a number of parameters as outlined in the RFP is no longer relevant.

The primary role of the winning helicopter would be to serve anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, while its secondary role would include search and rescue, cargo carrying and casualty evacuation.

As per the tender, the winning bidder would be required to supply the first MRH within 46 months in three phases. The Navy will also have the option of placing orders for another 44 helicopters, once the present contract is completed.

"We have satisfied all requirements and are waiting for the lowest bidder to be announced," said Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Arvind Walia, Regional Executive, India and South Asia, Sikorsky when questioned about progress in the NMRH tender.


Offsets Holding Back Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Contract | idrw.org

Interesting, just back online after being off for awhile. Have not heard this through my contacts but it would not surprise me. We'll see if they can still make the end of the year. Brazil just bought two more S-70B aircraft in spite of heavy marketing by Lockheed & the U.S. Navy to buy the 60R. That tells me they like the aircraft. Singapore also bought 2 more S-70B's and I know they like the aircraft from my work with them. Hope India makes the same decision.

 

[Neil]

Interesting, just back online after being off for awhile. Have not heard this through my contacts but it would not surprise me. We'll see if they can still make the end of the year. Brazil just bought two more S-70B aircraft in spite of heavy marketing by Lockheed & the U.S. Navy to buy the 60R. That tells me they like the aircraft. Singapore also bought 2 more S-70B's and I know they like the aircraft from my work with them. Hope India makes the same decision.

eh...?? why does US navy lobby for one heli and not another... both are american at the end of the day...

 

[Rikbo88]

eh...?? why does US navy lobby for one heli and not another... both are american at the end of the day...

The U.S. Navy & Lockheed have been trying to kill the S-70B for some time now for the simple reason they have nothing to gain. The USN does not use the S-70B and it is a direct competitor to the 60R & 60S. It cost the USN over 1 billion $$ to develop and field these aircraft and they would like to get some of that money back by selling 60R & 60S aircraft. Typically customers who buy these A/C go the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route which then involves the USN who manages the contract for the customer. This adds complexity and cost to the procurement which is why customers like Turkey, India, & Singapore prefer a direct commercial sale. Some customers like the comfort of having the USN involved and having an aircraft that is USN certified and having commonality with US armed forces. Australia is an example. If you have read my previous posts you' ll know I am not a fan of the 60R & 60S since I believe the mission & avionics systems are not as well designed and even today have a variety of problems that are not well publicized. Lockheed has, in my opinion, been very difficult to deal with in getting these problems solved and the USN has kept quiet about it not wanting to jeopardize their funding or present the aircraft in a bad light. Both the USN and Lockheed have pressured Sikorsky to try and limit the marketing of the 70B and Sikorsky has been treading a fine line in wanting to make an aircraft sale but not antagonize them. Sikorsky is happy to sell either aircraft and the 70B has kept going because it is always a cheaper option for those countries that want to acquire an ASW & ASuW capability. A direct commercial sale version of the 60R is in development to compete more effectively against the 70B. Lockheed has always been very expensive and in my opinion is not a very good designer or integrator of these types of systems. The 70B was designed for the international customer and was designed with modification in mind since almost every customer will want to tailor the aircraft in some manner. All the systems on it have been approved for export to approved countries and Sikorsky has a great track record in modifying these aircraft for a variety of customers.

 

[Rikbo88]

Offsets Holding Back Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Contract


Delays in the $1 billion Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter tender may be attributed to offsets agreement and not contender NH Industries.The company had previously claimed that its rival Sikorsky could not have met all the conditions of the Navy's request for proposals.Indian Navy, for the second time this year, delayed the tender asking the two vendors to extend the validity of their proposals until December 31st without elaborating.

According to an informed source, the delay stems from negotiations over offset clauses and that the issues resulting from the letter NH Industries sent the MoD claiming Sikorsky's S70B does not meet a number of parameters as outlined in the RFP is no longer relevant.

The primary role of the winning helicopter would be to serve anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, while its secondary role would include search and rescue, cargo carrying and casualty evacuation.

As per the tender, the winning bidder would be required to supply the first MRH within 46 months in three phases. The Navy will also have the option of placing orders for another 44 helicopters, once the present contract is completed.

"We have satisfied all requirements and are waiting for the lowest bidder to be announced," said Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Arvind Walia, Regional Executive, India and South Asia, Sikorsky when questioned about progress in the NMRH tender.


Offsets Holding Back Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Contract | idrw.org

Anyone hear anything? Getting close to the end of the year & I doubt the competitors will extend their existing proposals again. Also, has the follow-on RFP for the next buy of NMRH helos been released?

 

[Neil]

Anyone hear anything? Getting close to the end of the year & I doubt the competitors will extend their existing proposals again. Also, has the follow-on RFP for the next buy of NMRH helos been released?

no news IIRC... its election season in a month or so .. have doubts if the deal will be signed before that... hoping for the best...

 

[Rikbo88]

Offsets Holding Back Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Contract


Delays in the $1 billion Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter tender may be attributed to offsets agreement and not contender NH Industries.The company had previously claimed that its rival Sikorsky could not have met all the conditions of the Navy's request for proposals.Indian Navy, for the second time this year, delayed the tender asking the two vendors to extend the validity of their proposals until December 31st without elaborating.

According to an informed source, the delay stems from negotiations over offset clauses and that the issues resulting from the letter NH Industries sent the MoD claiming Sikorsky's S70B does not meet a number of parameters as outlined in the RFP is no longer relevant.

The primary role of the winning helicopter would be to serve anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, while its secondary role would include search and rescue, cargo carrying and casualty evacuation.

As per the tender, the winning bidder would be required to supply the first MRH within 46 months in three phases. The Navy will also have the option of placing orders for another 44 helicopters, once the present contract is completed.

"We have satisfied all requirements and are waiting for the lowest bidder to be announced," said Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Arvind Walia, Regional Executive, India and South Asia, Sikorsky when questioned about progress in the NMRH tender.


Offsets Holding Back Indian Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Contract | idrw.org

Now with the MOD canceling the VVIP contact with AgustaWestland it will be interesting to see if this further complicates the MRH program since AgustaWestland is a major part of NH Industries. It will either make the decision easy for the MOD or cause the entire MRH program to be rebid, something the IN cannot afford if they ever hope to field a new aircraft in a reasonable timeframe.

 

[Rikbo88]

no news IIRC... its election season in a month or so .. have doubts if the deal will be signed before that... hoping for the best...

Now hearing through some of my contacts that the MRH decision will be pushed back to April! Seriously? What the hell is the problem here? Very disappointing!

 

[praneetbajpaie]

Now hearing through some of my contacts that the MRH decision will be pushed back to April! Seriously? What the hell is the problem here? Very disappointing!

India shouldn't buy any weapons from the US, plain and simple.

 

[Neil]

Now hearing through some of my contacts that the MRH decision will be pushed back to April! Seriously? What the hell is the problem here? Very disappointing!

April.... i have my doubts about that... i say not before aug/sept

 

[Immanuel]

India shouldn't buy any weapons from the US, plain and simple.

Why? IN, IAF and IA care little about your silly comment, open tendering allows for plenty of competition. In this case S-70I won, for Naval use, there is hardly a helicopter that can match its reliability.

 

[Rikbo88]

India shouldn't buy any weapons from the US, plain and simple.

I am sorry you feel that way but the IN certainly feel differently and the knowledge and data from the MRH competition does not support your position. The men & women of IN deserves the best equipment they can find and at present and that equipment is not available in India. The S-70B, I believe, represents the best available choice at present for a variety of reasons I have already discussed. Given the willingness of Sikorsky to set up a co-production facility in India, I also believe it is the best option to help India to expand its aviation knowledge, both in aircraft and in avionics design. Finally, Sikorsky's motto is a testament to their commitment to build a quality product. That motto is, "We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere"¦every time". To often we forget one the most important, if not the most important mission of a combat aircraft (in addition to successfully accomplishing its mission) is to bring the aircrew home safe and sound.

 

[praneetbajpaie]

I am sorry you feel that way but the IN certainly feel differently and the knowledge and data from the MRH competition does not support your position. The men & women of IN deserves the best equipment they can find and at present and that equipment is not available in India. The S-70B, I believe, represents the best available choice at present for a variety of reasons I have already discussed. Given the willingness of Sikorsky to set up a co-production facility in India, I also believe it is the best option to help India to expand its aviation knowledge, both in aircraft and in avionics design. Finally, Sikorsky's motto is a testament to their commitment to build a quality product. That motto is, "We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere"¦every time". To often we forget one the most important, if not the most important mission of a combat aircraft (in addition to successfully accomplishing its mission) is to bring the aircrew home safe and sound.

Listen, I don't care about Sikorsky, I don't care about Sikorsky's motto, I don't care about the US Armed Forces> The Americans were never our friends and will not be in the future. With this silly '21st century partnership' crap that has been spewed, we have turned our backs on 2 of our natural allies, Iran and Russia, all the while the Americans have played a double game by supplying weapons to our enemies in Pakistan. This relationship is a disaster for us and I for one don't support it.

It's in our interest to align ourselves with the likes of Russia and Iran rather than you.

P.S. Can you explain how with all the latest weaponry, you guys lost the Vietnam War?

 

[praneetbajpaie]

Why? IN, IAF and IA care little about your silly comment, open tendering allows for plenty of competition. In this case S-70I won, for Naval use, there is hardly a helicopter that can match its reliability.

Listen Ja**a**, have a modicum of self respect, I understand your pea sized brain won't understand that concept.

 

[Rikbo88]

Listen, I don't care about Sikorsky, I don't care about Sikorsky's motto, I don't care about the US Armed Forces> The Americans were never our friends and will not be in the future. With this silly '21st century partnership' crap that has been spewed, we have turned our backs on 2 of our natural allies, Iran and Russia, all the while the Americans have played a double game by supplying weapons to our enemies in Pakistan. This relationship is a disaster for us and I for one don't support it.

It's in our interest to align ourselves with the likes of Russia and Iran rather than you.

P.S. Can you explain how with all the latest weaponry, you guys lost the Vietnam War?

So, Praneetbajpaie, what you are saying is that you don't care about data, the facts, the IN, or anything other than your hateful diatribe. Good luck with that philosophy! I will no longer waste my time on someone so irrational and devoid of basic intelligence so as to allow only their emotions to dictate their position. In case you did not know, neither Russia nor Iran (Iran... Really??) can supply the type of aircraft to accomplish the MRH mission. The more you spout such nonsense, the bigger the fool you sound like.

 

[praneetbajpaie]

So, Praneetbajpaie, what you are saying is that you don't care about data, the facts, the IN, or anything other than your hateful diatribe. Good luck with that philosophy! I will no longer waste my time on someone so irrational and devoid of basic intelligence so as to allow only their emotions to dictate their position. In case you did not know, neither Russia nor Iran (Iran... Really??) can supply the type of aircraft to accomplish the MRH mission. The more you spout such nonsense, the bigger the fool you sound like.

Please keep your helicopters for yourself, we don't need them.

 

[northernarunachalpradesh]

Please keep your helicopters for yourself, we don't need them.

They might also have NSA buggs.

 

[SajeevJino]

The Americans were never our friends and will not be in the future.

are you still in the 90s ..The Americans Changed their Minds after 9/11

With this silly '21st century partnership' crap that has been spewed, we have turned our backs on 2 of our natural allies, Iran and Russia,

How much you Think about Iran ..the Country who give Support to Pakistan on most war against India

Go for the Russians They always thinks Indians are Their Duck to give Golden egg everyday..They forced us to surrender our HF 21 program and induct the MiG 21 ..also you Should take care of Indian fighters capability and Pakistani fighter capability in wars who gets More Kill ..ever Heard of their T 90 ever Heard of their BMP 3 ..why they are all Offered

Don't tell me the same story to us they saved from the US CBG

all the while the Americans have played a double game by supplying weapons to our enemies in Pakistan. This relationship is a disaster for us and I for one don't support it.

you tell me the Americans About That ..Where is the Chinese Aircraft's came from ..!! Who stopped the Phalcon transfer to China
..tell me

It's in our interest to align ourselves with the likes of Russia and Iran rather than you.

Who believe their Friendship we have nowadays happy with Americans with their latest weapons and their Intel Shares

P.S. Can you explain how with all the latest weaponry, you guys lost the Vietnam War?

Can you Pls Tell me in How many wars US involved ...?


Stop Blaming other countries and Stop comparing their Contributions everyone have same Policy National interest

 

[SajeevJino]

Please keep your helicopters for yourself, we don't need them.

Call the Government to stop the P 8I , C17, C 130 The Fighter Engines etc

 

[SajeevJino]

They might also have NSA buggs.

In recent Years there is no Possible Terrorists Attacks in USA

thanks to NSA