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Sikorsky’s
tender was opened December 4 on the Navy Day, soon after Navy Chief Admiral
Robin Dhowan said that the Government was fast-tracking various programmes for
the modernisation of the armed forces, and that some of the naval projects would
be cleared “very soon". Indeed so, the opening of the commercial bid
at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), where the files have been held up for one reason
or another for several years, was a Navy Day gift to the Navy also.
Admiral
Dhowan, who hosted a big Navy Day reception, did not say anything on the ceremonial
occasion but was visibly in smiles and high spirits. Only a day before, on December
3, he had told this writer that it was “comforting” to the Navy brass
to know that long-pending requirements were now being procedurally cleared on
fast track.
In an interview with India
Strategic before the Navy Day, the Admiral indicated that the Navy
would likely exercise the option to buy the stipulated 16 helicopters along with
the option for another eight. “To address critical shortages, the Indian
Navy is progressing a case for acquisition of 16 MRH and I expect the commercial
bids to be opened shortly. This project may be expanded through an option clause
to buy additional eight helicopters to meet any additional immediate requirements.”
It may be recalled that the Navy had originally planned to acquire 54 Multi Role Helicopters, and 16 of these should have come in 2007 or so as replacement for the first lot of Sea Kings. More were to follow progressively. This did not happen, and as the supply is to commence three years after the contract is signed, the S 70B units will start arriving only from 2018,
a decade late. This writer assumes the contract will be signed within 2015 to help make up for the delay.
The
Navy is also buying 16 more Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) helicopters from
the state-run HAL, he disclosed.
The Sikorsky deal is estimated around $1 billion-plus for 16 helicopters. Weapons and sensors will be extra - possibly
from other companies - but Sikorsky will integrate them in accordance with the contract. The weapon suite will have capability
to deal with both underwater (ASuW or Anti Submarine Warfare) and ASW
(Anti Surface - Ship - Warfare).
Helicopters are the first to be despatched from a ship to neutralise a threat. They are also the primary link for ship-to-ship and ship-to-coast connectivity.
Significantly, besides the case for MRH under which the Sikorsky S 70 has been selected, there is a second proposal under
classification NMRH (Naval Multi Role Helicopter) for 123 machines to meet the pending and growing requirements of the Indian
Navy. The choice for that helicopter is yet to be finalized and the case is under progress at the MoD. Substantial numbers are
always needed for carrier task forces particularly, and the Navy has appropriately presented its proposals.
A third case which is pending is to replace the 30 to 40 years old Chetaks with Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH), which should
be the same as for the Army and Air Force under the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) requirement. Like most outdated systems, they
were needed in yesteryears and it is to be seen how soon they can be produced in the country under the Government’s new Make in India policy.
Sikorsky’s Regional Executive for India and South
Asia, Air Vice Marshal Arvind Jeet Singh Walia (Retd), said that he was delighted
at Sikorsky’s selection, pointing out that he had been working for eight
long years for the company’s participation in Indian military programmes.
“We look forward to fruitful negotiations now to conclude this requirement,
and then move on for other projects.” 
The
company has already offered to build helicopters in India under Transfer of Technology
(TOT) subject to US export control laws. The Seahawk is a naval variant
of the US Army’s Black Hawk UH 60 helicopter, which has a proven track record
in US military ventures in different parts of the world, including Afghanistan. The
Navy had floated a tender for 16 helicopters with an option for another eight
in 2008. Besides the US United Technologies Corporation (UTC)’s Sikorsky
helicopter, European NH Industries (NHI)’s NH 90 was also shortlisted for
technical trials, which both of them cleared. But before the commercial bids could
be opened, allegations of corruption erupted in Italy over AgustaWestland’s
VVIP helicopter deal with India, and as AgustaWestland is part of NHI, its commercial
bid was not opened. Italy’s Finmeccanica has a controlling stake in
the Anglo-Italian AgustaWestland, which in turn is a partner with Airbus Helicopters
and Fokker Aerostructures in NHI. For the time being, the Ministry of Defence
is not dealing with any company related to AgustaWestland. The Seahawk S-70B
can be used for both advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare to neutralise
underwater and over water threats. One key requirement is for amphibious assault
role, and the machines will be customised for that. It will have potent
radars and weapons from leading global majors, including Raytheon, Telephonics,
BAE Systems, GE (two power plants), French Thales and six other partners. The
helicopters will replace the Indian Navy’s quarter century old Westland Sea
King Mk 42 B/C fleet. What exactly is on board though in terms of capability
will be decided in negotiations likely to commence within weeks to sign a contract.
The deal is a direct commercial sales bid from the company, and delivery of the
helicopters will begin three years after it is signed.
Significantly,
at the Navy Chief’s reception, a very well-done short film on the Indian
Navy was presented, and its script had ample emphasis on naval aviation in protecting
India’s offshore maritime interests. As for manufacturing helicopters
in India in accordance with the Government’s new policy of ‘Make in
India,’ Admiral Dhowan said: Towards this end, we have begun the process
of analysing the capability and potential of the Indian aviation industry to make
aviation assets in India through (various industrial associations) Confederation
of Indian Industries (CII), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). However
as indigenous production could take some time to mature, it is “in the interim”
that the Navy is going in for acquiring helicopters from foreign vendors to “address
(its) critical shortages.” According to Air Vice Marshal Walia, as
the number required is very small (16 + 8 options), there cannot be any manufacturing
in India. But there is a 30 per cent offsets clause, and Sikorsky will fully meet
this obligation.
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