India To Buy Boeing Apache and Chinook helicopters
- In Dispatch
- 03:38 PM, Sep 24, 2015
- Vijainder K Thakur
The cabinet on September 22, 2015 approved the purchase of 22 Apache AH-64 attack helicopters, and 15 Chinook heavy lift helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Boeing under a deal valued at $2.5 billion. The deal gives India the option to purchase 11 additional Apache, and seven additional Chinook helicopters at the already negotiated price.
The acquisition is aimed at improving India's ability to defend its mountainous northern border with China and Pakistan, and is a fine example of the present government's proclivity to walk more than talk.
Most defense analysts feel that India will fight its next war in the mountains, along the LAC or the LoC, with the international border (IB) with Pakistan in the plains remaining calm so as not to lower the nuclear threshold.
The Apache deal will involve a direct commercial sale (DCS) with Boeing for the platform and a foreign military sale (FMS) with the U.S. government for engines, sensors and armament. The unarmed Chinook will be acquired via the DCS route without an FMS component.
The two deals have been held up for many years. The US government approved the sale of the AH-64D Block III helicopters to India on January 4, 2011. The deal languished under the UPA government because of protracted offset obligations. In August 2014, shortly after coming to power, the NDA government approved Boeing's offset proposals and cleared the way for signing a contract. However, MoD was forced to withhold procurement because of budgetary constraints.
During the nearly 5 years that have elapsed since the deal was negotiated, Boeing has reportedly met MoD requests to stick with the negotiated price nine times! Boeing's bid for the Chinook helicopter was accepted in October 2012 and clubbed with the Apache purchase.
Apache AH-64 Requirement
The IAF initiated procurement of 22 attack helicopters in 2009 stipulating a 2.5 t class helicopter with the following qualitative requirements.
- Twin engine
- High maneuverability
- Anti-armor capability
- All weather capability
- All terrain capability
The IAF currently has no fixed wing dedicated Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft capable of operating in mountainous terrain. As a substitute, it wants a highly-agile helicopter with good armor protection, armed with at least a 20mm caliber turret gun, 70mm rockets with 1.2-km range, air-to-air missiles with at least 7-km range, and electronic warfare (EW) and self-protection suite (SPS).
The IAF also evaluated Mi-28N for the role, but the Russian attack helicopter did not meet the requirements of the tender on 20 positions, while the Apache showed better performance.
The Apache is powered by two turboshaft engines, has a top speed of 296 kph, range of 520 km, and carries laser-guided precision missiles, 70 mm rockets and 30 mm automatic cannon.
Some of the outstanding features of the helicopter are:
- Mast Mounted Radar
- Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS)
- Target Acquisition and Designation Sights (TADS)
- Pilot Night Vision System (PVNS)
- Ground Fire Acquisition System (GFAS).
The IAF is also impressed with the helicopter's network centric operational ability.
Chinook Requirement
The IAF is acquiring Chinook heavy lift helicopters to enhance the mobility of its ground forces with heavy equipment such as artillery guns in mountainous terrain. The requirement for the helicopters has been linked to the planned purchase of BAe Land Systems M777 ultra-light howitzers, which the Indian Army (IA) plans to acquire from the US for use by the newly raised Mountain Strike Corp.
The M777 deal is also close to finalization with the MoD and the US having reached broad agreement on the sale price ($700 million), delivery schedules, guarantees, and after-sales technical, materiel, and spares support.
- The Chinook was evaluated for the requirement against the Russian Mi-26 T2 heavy lift helicopter. An earlier variant of the Mi-26 is already in IAF service
- The Chinook can lift loads up to 10.8 t with a mission radius of 200 nm, while the Mi-26 can lift 20t ton load and has a mission radius of 500 nm
- Both Boeing Chinook and Mi-26 T2 bids were found to be technically compliant, but the Boeing bid was reportedly more competitively priced
Attack Helicopters for the Indian Army
In early 2014, the Army got "in principle" approval for "ownership" of 39 Apache AH-64 gunships to equip its "strike" formations.
- On August 8, 2014 Reuters reported that India had offered to club the orders for the IAF (22) and IA (39) helicopters in order to get a more favorable price. The Indian pitch likely makes no impression on Boeing
- It is likely that a follow-up deal with a different price would be negotiated with Boeing to meet the IA's requirement. It is worth noting that the IAF has placed an order for 65 HAL developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) and the IA for 114
- Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the LCH is expected in December 2015 and the first LCH would be inducted into service by March 2016. Weapon trials are scheduled for mid-2016 with series production scheduled to begin in early 2017-18
- If the LCH program remains on track, it's moot if the Army would still want to purchase the Apache
By Vijainder K Thakur
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