ACM Major: Indian Air Force to acquire new attack and heavy lift helicopters

New Delhi: A report by India Strategic defence magazine quotes Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Fali Homi Major as saying that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will acquire 24 new attack and 12 heavy lift helicopters which will replace and augment its Soviet-era fleets.

ACM FH Major was inaugurating the magazine's website last week.

According to the ACM a global Request for Proposal (RFP) for 24 state-of-the-art attack helicopters was around the corner as was an RFP for 12 heavy lift helicopters to replace the half-a-dozen old 20-ton Mi-26 helicopters.

The report quotes that ACM as saying that while the IAF's fleet of Mi-26 helicopters needs urgent replacement the Mi-35 attack helicopters' systems are being upgraded in order to extend their useful life for some more time.

According to ACM Major, the IAF was 'actively pursuing a comprehensive plan to upgrade its helicopter fleet by upgrading older machines and inducting new ones.'

Even as the Mi-17 multi-role and Mi-35 Soviet-era attack helicopters would be upgraded, a parallel plan was also underway to renew assets over the next 10 years as part of the air force's overall perspective plan.

A plan to acquire 80 newer Mi-17-IV's was already under implementation.

'Within the next 10 years though, there would be a transformation of the helicopter fleet,' the air chief said, pointing out that newer machines with state-of-the-art glass cockpits, mid-flight refuelling capability and night operations were needed to meet contemporary and future requirements.

ACM Major also pointed out that the acquisition process had suffered after 1990, and it was time new helicopters and systems were inducted to match the emerging strategic scenario as well as requirements for mobility of troops, men and material even during a natural calamity.

Noting the development of HAL-produced aircraft, particularly the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), the report quotes the ACM as saying: 'A number of procurement schemes are being progressed and we will, in future, have a mix of indigenous and imported aircraft to meet our operational requirements, which includes heavy and medium-lift and utility helicopters. These helicopters will be inducted in a phased manner during the next two 5-year plans.'

ACM Major also said that aircraft and systems were procured in accordance with the Air Staff Requirements (ASRs) in a transparent and thorough process, and that 'whosoever makes them, will be invited to participate in the tenders.'

As for attack helicopters, Boeing has offered the latest version of the Apache AH64 to India. Boeing vice president Chris Chadwick has been quoted as saying that the company was offering both the Apache Block III as well as Chinook CH 47 heavy lift in the 20-ton category to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Block III version would be available to the US forces in 2011, and if India chose it, to the Indian Air Force as well.

Indications are that the EADS Eurocopter has also offered its Tiger attack helicopter with latest technologies to India, both for the Army and Air Force.

However at present, the attack helicopter role is vested with the IAF.

Major said that the effort would be to invite manufacturers from around the world, and that in the heavy lift category, helicopters with 15-to-20-ton capacity would be considered.

'Today, we want the best, with digital net-centric connectivity as well as onboard sensors and weapons, so that we can use them for long, while periodically upgrading their systems or parts.'