Rotorhub 
India re-opens attack helicopter competition
India has re-issued tenders for its air force attack helicopter requirement alongside the release of a new tender for up to 15 heavy lift helicopters.
The attack helicopter tender re-issue comes two months after the Indian defence ministry suspended a competition launched in May last year for up to 22 aircraft. The defence ministry had argued that no bidders had meet with essential tender requirements.
The revised tender is understood to have been issued to AgustaWestland, Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Eurocopter and Kazan. Responses are due in August.
All five companies had received the original attack helicopter request for proposals last year but Boeing and Bell Helicopter electing to withdraw last September citing problems preparing bid responses and project timeframes. That tender had been predicated on service entry by mid 2011.
Recipients of the heavy lift tender are understood to comprise AgustaWestland, Boeing,
Eurocopter and Mil.
Boeing confirmed 26 May that it has received both request for proposal documents.
India currently operates two squadrons of aged Mi-35s, acquired in 1990-1991, as attack helicopters with these upgraded in 2003-2004 with Israeli fitted night vision and targeting sensors.
By Peter La Franchi - Asia-Pacific Editor
Email this to a friend.