The ministry of defence is examining safety issues in the Navy’s field evaluation trials conducted in the estimated $1 billion proposed deal for acquisition of 16 multi-role helicopters, after recent allegations of foul play levelled by one of the vendors. “The allegations of irregularities will be looked into promptly by the MoD to see if there is any substance in it. Otherwise, it could affect the modernisation and acquisition process,” top MoD sources told this newspaper.
Sources told this newspaper that the office of defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma has already received a complaint from European vendor NH Industries about certain air safety issues in the Navy’s field evaluation trials that had given a clean chit to the S70B helicopter of American vendor Sikorsky. The MoD is holding consultations with the Navy on the matter. Both the (NHI) NH90 and (Sikorsky) S70B helicopters have passed the FET conducted by the Navy. “The Navy’s report is under examination of the MoD,” sources said.
Sources also said the battle between the European and American vendors is far from over, with the NHI contesting serious allegations levelled by the Navy against it. As reported by this newspaper recently, the Navy has accused the NHI of trying to “mislead” the MoD, “twist” the naval staff qualitative requirements, “falsify” the request for proposal and causing delays with “unreasonable queries/concerns”. Citing safety concerns, the NHI is also asking the MoD to study the Australian experience in operating Sikorsky helicopters. NHI had earlier raised doubts about the Sikorsky helicopter on various aspects including dual redundancy, figment of fuel tanks and full authority automatic flight control system.