Aviation
Military /
Asia
military modernization
India approves purchase of helicopters and military equipment for US$ 1.1 billion
Do 228, semelhante às da Força Aérea indiana que serão substituídas
Aerocardal Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gabriela Ramos
11/4/2021
This week, India's Defense Ministry granted preliminary approval for a $1.1 billion purchase aimed at military modernization. The project is part of the ‘Make in India’ policy, which includes the purchase of 12 light utility helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
In addition, the Defense Acquisitions Council (DAC), chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, turned down a bid to buy 13 MK-45 weapons systems for US warships and associated equipment for about US$ 1 billion. Now, the 127mm naval gun systems manufactured by BAE Systems will be replaced by the 76mm Medium Range Guns (SRGM) manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.
An Indian Navy officer stated: “Although the MK-45 weapons systems have a much greater range, they were very expensive. SRGMs provide niche capabilities to engage fast maneuvering targets, using guided munitions and range extensions, and will be installed on destroyers and frigates.”
The DAC also approved the upgrade of 25 Dornier naval reconnaissance aircraft by HAL, as well as the purchase of Lynx U2 fire control systems from Bharat Electronics Limited in order to “enhance the detection, tracking and engagement capabilities” of warships.
The approval of the purchase of the 12 helicopters came in light of India's need to replace its obsolete single-engine Cheetahs and Chetaks, which lack modern avionics, suffer from low maintenance and are affected by a high failure rate.
HAL intended to build 126 of these helicopters for the Army and 61 for the Air Force, but the project suffered long delays. After the aircraft has undergone tests in high-attitude areas, the first of the 12 units is now expected to be delivered between August and September of next year.
Besides that, there are two other projects pending for these helicopters. The first, in conjunction with Russia, to manufacture 200 twin-engine Kamov-226T helicopters for the Army and IAF, valued at $2 billion. The second is the “strategic partnership” project to manufacture 111 armed twin-engine naval utility helicopters at a cost of about $3 billion.
MilborneOne, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Gabriela Ramos
Gabriela is the latest addition to the editorial team of our website, having provided us with her solid background in editing, publishing and photography, and her interest and training in aviation history and historiography. His good taste and common sense and great cleverness and sagacity in the selection of themes and materials greatly enriched our vocabulary and narrative style. Gabriela brought unusual predicates and came to stay, helping to point the way of success of our portal.
   
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