Indian Army's advice on Bell-407, Eurocopter accepted

New Delhi, March 15 The trials of the Bell-407 and Eurocopter helicopters have been completed and the defence ministry has accepted the Indian Army's recommendations on the two machines, parliament was informed Thursday.

'The government has received a trial report of Bell-407 and Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter to be incorporated in the Indian Army,' Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

'The trials have been completed and the general staff evaluation of the trial report approved by the Indian Army has been accepted by the ministry of defence,' he added.

There was no indication which machine had got the nod.

Informed sources said the details would be revealed only after negotiations between New Delhi and Washington were concluded, as the sale would be governed under the US law on foreign military sales.

The Indian Army has projected a requirement for a helicopter that can carry loads of up to 75 kg heights of 23,000 feet on the Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. Flying at these heights poses unique challenges due to the rarefied atmosphere. The 197 helicopters the army proposes to purchase are meant to replace it's ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs, some of which were inducted more than three decades ago.

The army, which had issued its request for information (RFI) in 1999, had shortlisted the Bell-407 and the Eurocopter in its request for proposal.

The two machines underwent a series of extensive trials in the Siachen Glacier and the deserts of Rajasthan, where they will primarily be deployed.

According to an official, the army wants to buy 60 helicopters outright with the remaining 137 being licensed manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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