Multi-mission type will be required to meet ASW, transport and other military roles
India’s Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has asked foreign helicopter manufacturers to indicate their interest in co-developing a 10t multi-mission military helicopter.
Industry sources say AgustaWestland, Bell, Eurocopter and Sikorsky have begun discussing the project with HAL, which for several years has been studying whether to develop a new indigenous helicopter larger than the Dhruv to meet anti-submarine warfare (ASW), transport and other military requirements.
India at the end of last year launched a competition to select a new ASW helicopter and manufacturers expect tenders for new utility and VIP helicopters to be released later this year. These requirements will initially be met by importing helicopters, but over the medium and longer term India could launch an indigenous project, which will likely fall somewhere between licence production and new development. HAL seeks to manufacture 200 10t helicopters for the air force, army and navy.
It already plans to produce in-country 137 of the 197 light multi-role helicopters required by the Indian army. The service evaluated the Bell 407 and Eurocopter AS550 Fennec last year and a selection is expected later this year. “We are just waiting for the government to open the price bids,” says Bell managing director for India, Singh Deo. He adds New Delhi has asked both manufacturers to extend their bids, which expired last year, until February 2007.
HAL already manufactures tail rotor blades for the civil Bell 206, with first deliveries scheduled for later this year. There are over 70 Bell civil helicopters operating in India, which gives the company a market share of just over 50%. Bell says it sold 16 more helicopters to Indian operators last year and its Indian agent, Jubilant Enrpo, took options at Asian Aerospace last week for six more light helicopters.
Source: Flight International