India has released new tenders for the acquisition of 22 attack helicopters and 15 heavylift helicopters for its armed forces.
Issued within two months of the defence ministry's cancellation of an earlier contest, the attack helicopter request seeks a twin-engined aircraft in the 2.5t-class to replace its Mi-25s and Mi-35s.
The heavylift deal will acquire replacements for the Indian air force's Mi-26 fleet, with these to be used primarily for troop transport and resupply missions in high-altitude zones.
Meanwhile, Hindustan Aeronautics' plans to jointly develop a new 10t-class military helicopter have run into difficulties. The company is to issue a fresh tender for the project, after offers made by Eurocopter and the Mil Design Bureau failed to meet its "expectations and requirements" for co-operation and technology transfer.
The effort is intended to develop a replacement for Mi-8/17-series transports.
Source: Flight International
