The validity of bids for an Indian acquisition of 22 Boeing AH-64E Apache and 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, has been further extended to 30 June.

At the request of the Indian ministry of defence, the US Government and Boeing agreed to extend the validity of bids, which expired on 31 March.

Flightglobal understands that there has been no escalation in prices. There also exists a provision for 11 options for Apache and seven options for Chinook as part of the existing bid.

The Indian Apache deal will involve a direct commercial sale (DCS) with Boeing for the platform and a foreign military sale (FMS) with the US Govt for engines, sensors and armament. The unarmed Chinook will be acquired via the DCS route without an FMS component.

In August 2014, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by defence minister Arun Jaitley, approved the acquisition of both helicopters. Final approval for the deal from the government’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has yet to be obtained.

Source: FlightGlobal.com

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