The Navy is seeking the immediate purchase of 16 medium lift
helicopters at the cost of USD 1 billion and an additional 8 in the
next few months to fill the shortage of 46 helicopters. In addition
it is negotiating a contract with British Aerospace, Israeli
companies, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to upgrade Sea King
MK-42 anti-submarine warfare helicopters. Navy admits that frontline
ships operate without dedicated helicopters.
Simultaneously, the Navy is also considering the purchase of 7
Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft from 6 vendors to replace ageing
Tupolev TU-142 “Bear” aircraft. India has a 7,516 kilometer coastline
in a dangerous area and its recon assets are considered vastly
under-invested. The Navy floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) last
year after it declined a US Navy proposal to lease two P3C Orion
aircraft at USD 133 million because it does not make financial sense
and also the timeline to refit the planes to meet Navy’s needs. The
process of selection, qualification, and price negotiation is
expected to be completed by mid 2007 after which the fleet is set to
be operational in 4 years.