India, US sign $3 billion deal for purchase of 15 Chinook heavylift and 22 Apache attack helicopters

[+ghostrider883 526]

India, US sign $3 billion deal for purchase of 15 Chinook heavylift and 22 Apache attack helicopters 
 

NEW DELHI: India today signed a nearly $3 billion deal for purchase of 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift choppers with American aviation giant Boeing and the US government. 

 

The first helicopter is likely to be handed over to India in the next three to four years. 

 

"The contract for purchase of 22 Apache and 15 Chinook helicopters were signed here today," Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said. 

 

The contract has a clause to place follow-on orders for 11 more Apaches and seven extra Chinooks. 

 

The helicopter deal has survived over 10 price validity extensions from the American side with the last one being for a month as desired by India. 

 

While the Chinook helicopter deal is a direct one with the US firm, the one for Apache is a hybrid. 

 

A part of the Apache deal was signed with Boeing for the helicopter and the other with the US government, under Foreign Military Sales route, for its weapons, radars and electronic warfare suites. 

 

Sources said the total cost of the contract will be around $3 billion. 

 

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had last week said that the contract, which will have a 30 per cent offset clause, will bring in business worth about USD 1 billion for the Indian defence industry. 

 

Offset policy was first introduced as part of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), 2005, under which a foreign company has to invest back a portion of the deal into India. 

 

The Cabinet Committee on Security had on September 22 cleared the deal which had been hanging since 2013 when the cost negotiations were completed. 

 

Many in the defence sector had expected the deal to be signed during the visit of US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in June this year. 

 

The US has been pushing for this contract as it will further bolster American presence in the burgeoning defence market of India. 

 

American companies have over the last decade bagged defence contracts from India worth around $10 billion, including for aircraft like P-8I maritime surveillance planes, C-130J 'Super Hercules' and C-17 Globemaster-III in the transport category. 

 

Both platforms, which have been in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, had beaten off competition from Russia which had offered its Mi-28N Night Hunter and Mi-26 heavy-lift copters. 

 

The 22 Apache AH 64D Longbow helicopters are one of the most advanced multi-role combat helicopters, featuring all-weather and night-fighting features, ability to track upto 128 targets in less than a minute and engage with 16, besides stealth characteristics, advanced sensors and beyond visual range missiles. 

 

India will also be acquiring Hellfire missiles and rockets. 

[+Viggen 615]

Congrats on the Chinook contract. They'll be kick ass in the mountains. I imagine the contract is for Fox models? Any specifics specification wise for them?

[+ghostrider883 526]

CH-47F model , which beat the Mi-26T2.

 

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-09-29-Boeing-Receives-Order-from-India-for-22-Apache-and-15-Chinook-Helicopters?cm_mmc=BDS-_-Twitter-_-Chinnook-_-Media+Room

 

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29, 2015 – The India Ministry of Defence has finalized its order with Boeing [NYSE: BA] for production, training and support of Apache and Chinook helicopters that will greatly enhance India’s capabilities across a range of military and humanitarian missions.

 

India will receive 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Both are the newest models of those aircraft.

 

“This is a milestone in Boeing’s expanding commitment to India,” said Pratyush Kumar, president, Boeing India. “This acquisition enhances the Indian Air Force’s capabilities and offers us an opportunity to further accelerate ‘Make in India.’ Large sections of the Chinook fuselage are already manufactured in India and discussions are ongoing with our Indian partners to make Apache parts.”

 

The Apache is the world’s leading multi-role attack helicopter. The AH-64E Apache, the most modern variant also flown by the U. S. Army, features enhanced performance, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding.

 

The CH-47F Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter operated by the U.S. Army and 18 other defense forces. The Chinook has proven its ability to operate in the range of conditions that typify the Indian subcontinent, including delivering heavy payloads to high altitudes.

 

“These new aircraft will provide world-class capabilities to meet the Indian Air Force’s missions today, tomorrow and well into the future,” said David Koopersmith, vice president and general manager, Boeing Vertical Lift division. “This agreement represents another major step forward in our long and successful relationship with India.”

India is the 14th nation to select the Apache and the 19th nation to select the Chinook.

 

“The Apache and Chinook represent the best of high-performing technologies that will modernize India’s defense capabilities,” said Dennis Swanson, vice president, Defense, Space & Security in India. “We look forward to delivering the newest Apache and Chinook to our customers and remain focused on delivering on its commitments to the Indian Air Force and India’s Ministry of Defence.”

Edited September 30, 2015 by ghostrider883

[JediMaster 451]

The Chinese and Russians are said to be working together on a new high-alt helo model for Tibet. Russia won't be buying, just providing assistance.

 

It's not easy to get them to work well up that high.