Russia to bid for 320 helicopter Indian order

Bangalore: The Russian aerospace complex is gearing up to bid for a total order of 320 military helicopters from the three wings of the Indian defence services, Russian helicopter officials said at the AeroIndia 2009 show on Friday.

"We have presented to the Indian Defence Ministry, as well as to other government agencies, our line of new models and modernized helicopters," said Igor Pshenichny, deputy director general of the Helicopters of Russia holding.

Speaking at the show, he added that his company, in conjunction with Russia's state-controlled arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, was participating in a number of tenders, in particular involving the Ka-226T multi-role helicopter and the Mi-28H Night Hunter helicopter gunship.

The Ka-226T is a light utility helicopter and can carry either eight people or 1.5 tonnes of cargo and has a variety of modifications - passenger, freight, search and rescue and patrol.

The Mi-28H night Hunter is a formidable helicopter gunship platform.

Pshenichny also said the company was in talks with the ministry of defence for the modernization of radar systems installed on Ka-31 helicopters used by the Indian Navy. He also said that Russian Helicopters would invest $1.5-2 million in building a helicopter maintenance and service centre in northern India.