After losing out to France in the multi-billion
dollar fighter jet deal, Europe has now fixed its glaze on the contract for 197
light utility helicopters for the Indian Army. European firm Eurocopter has
written to the Indian Army Chief regarding the delay in the finalization of the
contract.
The 1.5 billion dollar acquisition process, where
Eurocopter’s 350 Fennec is fighting it out with the Russian Kamov-226 Sergei,
has been in limbo for quite long.
Expressing its concern over the “time frame taken” to
finalise the deal, the European defence major said in its letter: “The
technical evaluation process has now taken over 38 months and has not yet been
concluded due to reasons which are unknown to us.”
The helicopters will be replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah
and Chetak helicopters which are the backbone of the Indian Army’s supply chain
in the high altitude region like Siachen Glacier and the north east.
The Indian Army’s first attempt to procure 197 helicopters
had got stalled in 2007 when the defence ministry cancelled the tender at the
eleventh hour of signing the deal with Eurocopter. The second tender was issued
in 2008. The deal has also hit air pocket after an anonymous letter received by
the Defence Ministry alleged roles of arms dealers in the contract and over
ambitious quality requirements hindered a particular trial.
Earlier this year, the parent company of the European firm
had lost out to French Dassault fighter makers in the contract for 126 multi
role fighter aircraft valuing a whopping $10.4 billion.
“We hope that this program after so many years will soon be
successfully concluded and we would be proud to contribute to the self-reliance
of Indian Armed Forces,” the letter added.
The flight trials of the two contenders had been completed
in December 2010 and the report was submitted in February 2011. The report got
approval of the Defence Ministry and the Technical Oversight Committee in
October 2011 and January 2012 respectively.
The process will take a long time as the next step in the
process is opening of the commercial bids of the two contenders in fray and
then a commercial negotiation committee will be constituted to negotiate with
the lowest bidder.
Out of the 197 helicopters, the Indian Army will induct 133
and 64 will go to the air force. Out of these helicopters 60 will be purchased
in flyaway condition and the rest of them will be manufactured by Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under license.
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