In view of its expanding fleet size and expansion in its area of responsibility with the Government stating that the country’s strategic interest ranges from the Gulf of Aden to the Malacca Strait, the Indian Navy is planning to issue a bid for procuring more than 120 multi-role choppers in what could be expected to be the world’s largest tender expected to be worth around $8 billion.
The IN, which has plans of acquiring more than 120 Naval Multi-role Helicopters (NMRH), recently issued a global Request for Information. A global Request for Proposal in this regard is likely to be issued in the near future. The new NMRH will be procured for anti-submarine warfare, Special Operations and anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Companies expected to take part in the tender include all major players like Eurocopter, Agusta Westland, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin.
The IN is already holding a competition to procure 16 multi-role helicopters in which European NH-90 and American Sikorsky S-70 Bravo are in the running. Upon completion of sea trials, the IN had submitted its report to the Defence Ministry in 2011. As per the tender, the winning bidder would be required to supply the first MRH within 46 months in three phases. The Navy will also have the option of placing orders for another 44 helicopters, on completion of the present contract. However, the tender, for multi-role helicopters has been delayed for six months. Without elaborating on the details of this decision, the MoD has asked the American Sikorsky and European NH Industries to extend the validity of their proposals for the tender worth over $1 billion for the purchase of 16 choppers.
At present, the IN relies on its fleet of Sea King helicopters which were inducted in two different phases in the 1980s.
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