CH-47F Chinook
The US has bagged another Indian defence contract with the CH47F Chinook manufactured by Boeing emerging as the lowest bidder in a competition against the Russian Mi-26 T2 helicopter. The bid for 15 multi-mission Chinook platforms was lower – both in terms of initial acquisition cost as well as life-cycle cost. This is the second time in the recent past that American helicopters have outclassed, both technically and commercially, their Russian counterparts. India is to receive 22 AH64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters for $1.4 billion beating the only other contender, the Russian Mi-28 Havoc.
The Indian armed forces have plans to induct around 900 helicopters in the next decade. Apart from the Chinooks and Apaches, the shopping list includes 384 light-utility, 90 naval multi-role, 65 light combat and 139 medium-lift helicopters. Other major deals with US companies are the $4.1 billion contract for ten C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft, eight P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for $2.1 billion with option for four more P-8I aircraft, six C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ aircraft from Lockheed Martin for $962 million with six more of these on order.
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