Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Aug 29, 2012 India ’s delays and indecision are legendary and now, once again, it has broken its own record for sluggishness. Even as the clock ticks, the Indian rupee slides further making procurement dearer and as the world awaits a decision on the Navy's 16 multi-role helicopters (MRH), Aerospace Diary learns the two vendors –NHI (NH-90) and Sikorsky (S-70B) have been informed they must extend their bids by six months (until January 2013). After that what? A rebid or cancellation even as the navy gets more desperate for the machines. This is becoming a joke. The 16 helicopters are to replace the Navy's ageing Westland Sea King fleet. Even the soon to be retired Navy Chief had stressed these were required urgently. The message is getting clearer and louder. Yes we are being sought by the world for our procurement budget. Yes, we are getting more arrogant by the day. Yes, we are sending a message to the world that we don’t really mean busi...

Neelam Mathews July 7, 2012 With flight and technical evaluations complete for the Indian Navy’s bid for 16 multi-role helicopters for its sea and off-shore operations, the clearance from the Cabinet Committee of Security is awaited. The two final contenders are Sikorsky’s S-70B and the European consortium’s NH-90. Last year, India rejected Lockheed Martin’s request for consideration of its NH-60 under Foreign Military Sales. A controversy may be brewing that will delay the much needed acquisition by at least another four years – having already being delayed by six years- and, given the rupee depreciation hike up costs further. Aerospace Diary learns with Sikorsky now having being given exemption from certain compliances it could not adhere to, will make the NH-90 more expensive, though its (NH-60) life cycle costs will be competitive, given that it is a newer machine. The Europeans are said to be looking for a waiver based on low requirements to enable them to furnish a l...