Augsta Westland join hands with TATA to Manufacture AW 119 in India

Augsta Westland join hands with TATA to Manufacture AW 119 in India

    The Indian government finally approved the company named Indian Rotor craft Limited, which is a joint venture between Italian Agusta Westland and Indian TATA. the company plans to produce the European light helicopter AW 119 in India. because of the scam in VVIP helicopter supply the Indian government put the Augusta and it's prime company Finmeccanica into blacklist. due to the short of supply, government removes the ban, and continue bid in Indian Defense deals.

    The Light helicopter deal is one of the hanging deal since years. the tender for procuring some 200 plus light helicopter deal is scrapped many times since 2011. the Light helicopters replaces the vintage Chetak and Chetaah helicopters from Tri services. as a surprise the government announced they selected the Russian Kamov Ka 226T helicopters under make in India plan. government shortlisted the Ka 226T to supply more than 400 light helicopters to tri services and para military forces. however the contract yet to be signed. It's believed HAL joins with Kamov to license produce those helicopters in India.

    The Agusta westland also offers a light helicopter. the AW 119 is one of the good helicopter used in many foreign countries for multi role supports and patrols. even many Indian private aviation's owns some AW 119 and older A 109 versions. the AW 119 also a runner in the light helicopter deal, due to the blacklist Augtsa won't able to catch the deal.

    TATA is a good Private player in Indian military services, who already made many companies with foreigner supports. the last known CASA C 295 deal and Kestral programs are good examples. the government shortlisted the C 295 as the replacement of older HS 748. however the contract yet to be signed. the Kestral also impressed the Indian army officials, which is under tough trails. TATA plans to seal the $15 billion FICV deal.

   IRL- Indian Rotor craft limited plans to produce the AW 119 helicopters in it's Hyderabad facility as TATA recently inaugurates. which is a bigger technology hub in India. as per IRL officials they will try for the Defense ministry's light helicopter deal. however that's not the major program.  IRL plans to modify the existing AW 119 versions into more powerful modern AW 119Ke. which is currently bidding many foreign countries. as the new governments plan of make in India perfectly fits in the program, if the IRL secures any foreign contract.

Agusta A 109

  The helicopter costs less than $2 millions, as more than 200 units currently operated by multiple foreign customers, include military customers. the AW 119 mainly used for reconnaissance and search missions, also used for VIP transport and multiple naval missions. with the single engine and higher performance it's remains one of the most wanted private helicopters. and It's clear the newer AW 119Ke version impress many customer, which boosts the TATA and Agusta's pocket money. even India too get many opportunities, as TATA may absorb entire helicopter building process and manufacturing techniques.

  This gives TATA a good chance to design a in house Helicopter later, which can compete future Indian and International orders. as per the current plan the IRL may starts working to assemble the helicopters within next two years.   

The Light Utility Helicopter Deal

The Light Utility Helicopter Deal

 

          The Indian armed forces can boost of extremely advanced aircraft under the service but when it comes to the rotary crafts the word “Technology “needs to be questioned. The main stay of our armed forces under the rotary force is HAL manufactured Cheetah and the Chetak. The forces currently operate more than 500 of this rotary force. Manufactured from 1975 under the licence from Aerospatiale these forces have reached their shelve life and time and again have received numerous upgrades.  These helicopters have been in service for more than a span of 35 years. Right 2005 the armed forces have been demanding for a formidable replacement to these platforms that are a crucial part of any operation.

        The Army Aviation corps which is operating around 108 of these helicopters had asked for an replacement. The Army Aviation corps was allotted the ALH Dhurv as replacements for Chetak. With the crucial missions like Armed Reconnaissance mission, Support mission to ground Troops, Re supply, EVAC charged to the Army Aviation corps. Since the replacement has been bought no significant process has been made in this regard. The procurement has been announcing around in the MoD with several cases of scams being unearthed in this deal alone.

        The Navy operates around 55 of these helicopters. The navy has put in these helicopters for replenishing of ships, EVAC along with reconnaissance missions. These platforms have been extensively used for SAR role during Natural disasters. Even though navy insisted on clubbing the orders with the Army corps a deal was never signed.  The navy had now signed a deal for 16 Anti Submarine Helicopter S 70 from Sirkosky which would serve aboard naval platforms like the Destroyers and Frigates.

      The Indian Air force is also a major operator of Chetak and Cheetah. The Air force variant was armed with cannon and two guided anti tank missiles to give close Air support to the Army. But with advanced systems available with the enemy the present day battlefield have rendered these helicopters obsolete.

       With several key private players in the field of these rotary aircraft the government has now implemented the “Make in India’ which would effectively help in fast tracking the procurement of these aircraft. The government has now initiated the process where in a foreign operator would start a JV with an Indian firm to manufacture these rotary aircraft in India.

          The Air bus groups has now come forwards with the AS 555 design and the more sophisticated EC 725 to be made available to the Indian forces. The AS 555 is required to meet the original requirement of Light utility helicopter but the EC 725 is more than a Light Utility but it also fills the gap in the crucial role of Troop transport, which is a key requirement for Maritime Multirole Helicopters.  The government is now looking into this key field of LUH and MUH heli’s. The Russian Kamov Ka 226T is also in competition for the LUH tender.





         Any major decisions in this regard are now pending and a speedy and swift reaction would really be commended by the forces.

The Indian Airforce Cheetah