INDIA IS IN negotiations with Belarus and Russia for the possible acquisition of Mil Mi-24 combat helicopters for the Army Aviation Corps.
A high-level Army delegation visited Belarus in October to evaluate the Russian-built Mi-24s, and a Belarus delegation also visited New Delhi in mid-November in an attempt to finalise the deal.
Russian company Rostvertol has also made a proposal to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the sale of Mi-35s - the export version of the Mi-24 Hind. A high-profile defence delegation from Russia, which visited New Delhi in late November, took up the issue. The New Delhi visit of Russian deputy prime minister Yuri Yarov in December is expected to result in new discussions on the issue.
According to sources in the defence ministry, the Belarus offer has not found favour in New Delhi despite the $1 million-per-helicopter price tag. This is mainly because the Mi-24s being offered are 15 years old.
Rostvertol is one of two producers of the Mi-24. One MoD official believes that an advantage of the Rostvertol deal "...is that it enables us to set up a joint venture on Indian territory which is capable of providing helicopter servicing and all kinds of repairs".
India already operates a squadron of the helicopters, but is anxious to strengthen its force in response to Pakistani moves to upgrade its own helicopter fleet.
Source: Flight International
