India Invites Bids to Replace Its Aging Soviet-era Helicopter FleetMay 25, 2009
 In a move to replace its aging Soviet-era fleet with modern systems, the Indian Air Force has invited bids to stock its fleet with 22 new attack helicopters and at least 15 copters with the ability to lift heavy weights. The deal would be worth more than $2 billion, according to an article in Zee News, an Indian online news publication. Boeing is among the companies invited to submit proposals. "Boeing has received the Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the attack and heavylift helicopters and will review the requirements," said Vivek Lall, head of Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems in India. Less than two weeks after a new Congress-led coalition was re-elected, the government said it would prioritize defense and push forward pending projects to modernize its armed forces, according to Zee News. This includes more than $30 billion over the next five years. "We hope to hear from bidders soon on the two projects and speed up the procurement process," a defense ministry spokesman said. India last year asked seven international companies to submit bids for supplying the attack helicopters. But then the government withdrew the request this year, noting that the proposals did not meet its requirements. Boeing said it was likely to offer its Apache AH-64 attack helicopters for the revised invitation for bids. The American company said it will also bid to supply its Chinook CH-47 heavy-lift copters. (U.S. Marines photo by Cpl. Adam Johnston (released)) |
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