Spitting fire, literally

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With IT and electronic gadgets calling the shots in the armed forces worldwide, Indian armed forces are going hi-tech too. Latest to join the fighting machines are helicopters, complete with the acquisition of latest helicopters for combat duty and transportation purpose.

Recently, the Indian Air Force issued a tender to acquire 22 combat helicopters to replace the same number of 1980s Soviet vintage Mi 35 helicopters. The tender, or request for proposals, has been issued among others to Boeing for Apache AH 64, Eurocopter for Tiger, Russian Mi helicopters for Mi 35 (new version), and Bell for its AH 1Z Super Cobra. The vendors have been given three months to submit their proposals. After that, field trials of those helicopters that are short-listed would be carried in line with the defence procurement policy.

That’s not all, India plans to acquire 312 light military helicopters and 18 choppers in a separate global tender. The rationale of the acquisition frenzy stems from the fact that like its combat jets, all the helicopters in the Indian Air Force inventory are old. And, in about 10 years time, the helicopter fleet would be transformed fully. A Bell Helicopter survey points out that the helicopter market in India will be worth $4 billion over the next few years.

What is heartening to note is that this time around, the emphasis has been on acquiring the best available platforms, sensors and weapon systems with glass cockpits and beyond the visual range capability for engagement of hostile targets. Having declared 2008 as the year of helicopters, the defence ministry feels helicopters are the future of combat and that the quantum leap in technology has brought about a sea change in the perception about these rotor machines.

“We want the best, with digital net-centric connectivity as well as onboard sensors and weapons, so that we can use them for long, while periodically upgrading their systems or parts,” inform officials. As per the requirements, the helicopter should weigh 2,500 kg or more when empty and have two engines. It must be highly agile, have advanced anti-armour capability, and include provision for a turret gun of 20 mm or higher calibre and be able to fire 70 mm rockets at a range of 1.2 km.