Bengaluru: Move over from fighter jets. The buzz at Aero India 2015 is about helicopters, which could be the next big thing in Indian aviation.
In anticipation of several big ticket tenders from the defence ministry, major players in the helicopter market made a beeline for the Bangalore air show that provides an opportunity to the companies to discuss and select Indian partners, as per the ‘Make in India’ requirement.
“The 388 light utility helicopters have been opened up for ‘Make in India’. Most of the helicopter players did not bring their choppers for flying because they are busy in forming joint venture partnership,” said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the first day of Aero India.
In September, 2014, the defence ministry issued a fresh request for information to local vendors to manufacture 388 reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (RSH) – also known as light utility helicopter – for the Indian Air Force (197) and Army Aviation Corps (191). This was done following cancellation of a previous tender for 197 helicopters a month back.
These choppers are meant for replacing the ageing fleet of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, which are of 1959 and 1969 vintage respectively. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited licence-produce these French origin platforms for the armed forces.
21/02/15 Kalyan Ray/Deccan Herald
In anticipation of several big ticket tenders from the defence ministry, major players in the helicopter market made a beeline for the Bangalore air show that provides an opportunity to the companies to discuss and select Indian partners, as per the ‘Make in India’ requirement.
“The 388 light utility helicopters have been opened up for ‘Make in India’. Most of the helicopter players did not bring their choppers for flying because they are busy in forming joint venture partnership,” said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the first day of Aero India.
In September, 2014, the defence ministry issued a fresh request for information to local vendors to manufacture 388 reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (RSH) – also known as light utility helicopter – for the Indian Air Force (197) and Army Aviation Corps (191). This was done following cancellation of a previous tender for 197 helicopters a month back.
These choppers are meant for replacing the ageing fleet of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, which are of 1959 and 1969 vintage respectively. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited licence-produce these French origin platforms for the armed forces.
21/02/15 Kalyan Ray/Deccan Herald
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