Originally Posted by Endangered

India, Chile discuss helicopter deal

New Delhi, Oct 29. (PTI): Bidding for the largest-ever arms sale, top Indian Defence officials on Friday held high-level talks with Chilean armed forces personnel on the proposed sale of 20 to 30 Advance Light Helicopters to Chile.

"The Chilean side showed interest in acquiring Advanced Light Helicopters manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as also about other weapon systems and ordnance products," an official statement said on talks held between Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Chilean counterpart Jamie Ravinet in Santiago.

In a deal under finalisation, India is bidding to sell between 20 and 30 ALHs to the Chilean armed forces. New Delhi has also offered technology-transfer to make these choppers in Chile, officials said.

During the talks, India and Chile agreed to raise the defence relationship to a new level by exploring the possibility of posting defence attaches at their respective embassies.

If this materialises, Santiago will be the first South American capital to have an Indian defence attache.

Mukherjee also called on Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar with the two countries agreeing to work towards more bilateral and production investment and avoidance of double taxation.

The Defence Minister, who is currently on a four-day visit to Chile, will travel tomorrow to Punta Arenas, the southern-most city, on his way to Chile's Eduardo Frei Base on King George's Island in Antarctica.