In order to replace its ageing fleet of Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, the Indian Navy has put in a request for 56 Light Utility Helicopters. The Chetak and Cheetah helicopters manufactured by the government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, are licenced Indian versions of the French Aérospatiale Alouette III and Alouette II. The Chetaks were inducted into the Indian Navy 30 years ago.
Officials disclosed that these LUHs will have twin-engines. Eight major helicopter manufacturers, including HAL, have been approached. Currently in the race are France’s Eurocopter, Russia’s Kamov and Kazan, the US-made Bell and Sikorsky, and the Italian Augusta Westland. These companies have been asked for field trials in India. Bids are expected in January next year, and the helicopters will be inducted into the Indian Navy by 2016. The demand for these helicopters has been hanging fire for the last five years. The Army and Air Force are close to finalising a deal for 197 LUHs, with the Eurocopter and Kamov reportedly in the lead for bagging the contract. The Navy is also in the process of procuring multi-role helicopters for which the European NH 90 and the Sikorsky are in the race.