India canceled Tender for 22 Attack Helicopter

**jackprince** · 24 Mar 09,, 19:22

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...ow/4310374.cms

Out of AgustaWestland, Boeing, Eurocopter, Khazan and Bell Helicopter, Boeing and Bell said they couldn't meet the time frame of RFP. So army wants Apache or Cobra, it seems.

**Dreadnought** · 24 Mar 09,, 19:37

Originally Posted by jackprince

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...ow/4310374.cms

Out of AgustaWestland, Boeing, Eurocopter, Khazan and Bell Helicopter, Boeing and Bell said they couldn't meet the time frame of RFP. So army wants Apache or Cobra, it seems.

Ok, but hopefully they still understand that Boeing makes the Apache and Bell makes the Cobra.

)

**Kommunist** · 24 Mar 09,, 19:52

Originally Posted by jackprince

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...ow/4310374.cms

Out of AgustaWestland, Boeing, Eurocopter, Khazan and Bell Helicopter, Boeing and Bell said they couldn't meet the time frame of RFP. So army wants Apache or Cobra, it seems.

Apache yes, but Cobra, ??

dont think so. That thing is 40+ years old!

**jackprince** · 24 Mar 09,, 19:55

Sorry, I meant Bell AH-1 SuperCobra and AH-64D Apache. India sent RFP for this two initially. But Boeing quit stating time-factor.

http://news.chennaionline.com/newsit...GORYNAME=INTER

**Stitch** · 24 Mar 09,, 20:08

Originally Posted by Kommunist

Apache yes, but Cobra, ??

dont think so. That thing is 40+ years old!

The AH-1Z is a new-build version of the Super Cobra, with a new 4-blade composite main rotor and uprated T-700 turboshafts.

**Skywatcher** · 24 Mar 09,, 23:38

Sounds like a rather small order for something the size of the Indian Army.

**Knaur Amarsh** · 25 Mar 09,, 01:31

Originally Posted by Skywatcher

Sounds like a rather small order for something the size of the Indian Army.

If the order were any larger, where would the pilots come from to fly them?

**~~KRON1~~** · 25 Mar 09,, 05:38

It appears as if some of the best competitors were left out. We didn't have our Apache Long-Bows and the Russkies didn't have their Mi-28s or Ka-52s... they just put in the discontinued Ka-50.

**BenRoethig** · 25 Mar 09,, 05:59

Originally Posted by Kommunist

Apache yes, but Cobra, ??

dont think so. That thing is 40+ years old!

The only thing 40 years old about the AH-1Z is the designation. It can out run, out maneuver, and out climb the Apache while being more reliable and better performing at higher altitudes.

**jackprince** · 25 Mar 09,, 07:48

Originally Posted by Skywatcher

Sounds like a rather small order for something the size of the Indian Army.

India already have 20+ Mi-35 helicopters. Also HAL is developing a LCH which is basically a derivative of the HAL Dhruv. This tender is going to be a stop-gap till HAL is ready to deliver.

**Yusuf** · 25 Mar 09,, 08:51

I think the whole thing might have to do the Apache and Super Cobra not competing. The next RFP will have them in. Sure the Europeans are going to be really pissed with it.

**supersallu** · 25 Mar 09,, 12:44

This deal is for heavy combat helicopter, which IAF needs in small number.

We have two light combat helicopter programmes already running.
1) HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) which will fly this year.
2) HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter WSI (WSI=Weapon System Integrated) which is ready for production.

**BenRoethig** · 25 Mar 09,, 16:51

Originally Posted by supersallu

This deal is for heavy combat helicopter, which IAF needs in small number.

We have two light combat helicopter programmes already running.
1) HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter) which will fly this year.
2) HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter WSI (WSI=Weapon System Integrated) which is ready for production.

Good for them, but this is a medium class combat helicopter.