As the Indian armed forces embark on a long overdue and major modernisation
programme for its helicopter fleet, the Indian market for military helicopters
is poised to be one of the largest in the world, over the next decade and half.
Rolls-Royce in its ‘Helicopter Overview and 10-year Forecast 2009-2018’ has
stated that 6,200 military rotorcraft deliveries would be made over this period.
India’s growing needs for military rotorcraft for her armed forces and
paramilitary forces could see the Indian market accounting for nearly 1,000 plus
helicopters into the year 2020 or close to 20 per cent of the global demand for
military helicopters. The helicopter division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) itself is looking at delivering 450 helicopters by the year 2015 spread
over the Dhruv Mk-3 and Mk-4 variants, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Light
Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Cheetal helicopters.
An increase in the annual defence spending by about 11.6 per cent this year has
made it easier for the Indian armed forces to continue their plans for overhaul
and purchases of modern equipment. Major helicopter deals to be finalised in the
short-term include the requirement for 22 attack helicopters for the Indian Air
Force (IAF), 15 heavy-lift helicopters for the IAF and 197 Light Utility
Helicopters to for the Indian Army and IAF. Close to 400 HAL-built Chetak and
Cheetah helicopters from the IAF, army and navy will also need to be replaced
over the next decade and a half. The Indian Navy is looking for 16 naval
helicopters with options for 44 more to replace its Sea King helicopters. Follow
on orders for many of the selected types are likely as the armed forces seek to
consolidate their diverse inventories over fewer types.
This year is particularly significant for both the global industry and India, as
many deals will have their fate sealed by the Indian ministry of defence. The
largest of these is the requirement for 197 Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Helicopters (133 helicopters for army, 64 for IAF). The final decision is
expected to be announced by the middle of this year, more than eight years after
the tender was first floated. At Aero India 2011, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik
announced that flight trials were over and the reports would be submitted by
February. The deal, ever since its announcement has been shrouded by
controversy, beginning with six contenders, down to three till last year and now
with only two remaining in the fray which includes Eurocopter with its AS 550
Fennec and Kamov with its Ka-226 multi role helicopter. About Fennec’s
performance at the trials, Eurocopter’s vice president sales, South Asia, Rainer
Farid told FORCE in an interview, “The field evaluations in India and at OEM
premises have been concluded in December 2010. The Fennec has demonstrated
extremely good results and is fully compliant with the very demanding RFP
quality requirements. The Indian armed forces are in urgent need of a new
machine to replace the ageing Cheetah/Chetaks which are still being supported by
Eurocopter in collaboration with HAL. We hope that the MoD would take a final
decision till mid 2011.” |