The Defence Ministry has cancelled the Rs 9,000-crore tender for procuring 56 helicopters for Navy and decided to have them manufactured in India with foreign collaboration. The Ministry also decided to increase the number of helicopters to 100 for which fresh tenders will be invited.
Incidentally, this is the second tender to be scrapped in the last two months with the Ministry earlier cancelling the Rs 4,000 crore tender for 196 light utility helicopters for the Army. The Ministry has opted for ‘Make in India’ process and hopes to generate business worth over Rs 40,000 crore for the Indian private and public sector industries through this proposed project.
As regards the Naval helicopters, officials said here on Tuesday two contenders were in the race for contract including the European Airbus Helicopters and Agusta Westland. Both these firms were informed the Govern-ment’s decision, officials said.
The tender was issued two years ago by the Navy for procuring twin-engine helicopters was sent to major helicopter manufacturers including US firm Sikorsky, Eurocopter, Kamov and Italy’s Agusta Westland. In the tender, the Navy specified that the 4.5 tonne helicopters should have twin-engines to allow them to operate in rough sea conditions.
The Navy needs new helicopters to replace its fleet of ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters which are in service for the last 30 years and in the last stages of their operational life.
The Government is keen to give a boost to nascent aerospace industry and therefore took a conscious decision to encourage the Indian industry to have tie-ups with foreign aviation giants and build the aircraft and helicopters within the country.