In the latest effort to procure utility helicopters amid huge increase in operational commitments on the northern borders and delays in various procurement programmes, Indian Army has floated a tender for leasing 20 Light Helicopters, for reconnaissance and surveillance, for a period of five years. These are in the category of the ageing Cheetah and Chetaks, the replacement of which has been repeatedly delayed.
“The Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (Lessee), intends to lease 20 Helicopters (Reconnaissance & Surveillance Helicopters) with ground support equipment for five years. This lease will also include all maintenance support including Performance Based Logistics (PBL) and training of aircrew and maintenance crew during the term of the lease,” the Request For Information (RFI) issued on Wednesday said. The MoD seeks information from helicopter Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or authorised Indian Leasing Firms for participation in the lease project in accordance with Chapter IX of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, it stated.
The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the leasing contract will be processed within six months after the RFI is issued and contract conclusion in accordance with the timelines mentioned in DAP 2020, the RFI stated. The Request For Proposal is expected by mid-October, a defence source said adding they are also trying to speed up the delivery timeline sooner than the two years mentioned in the RFI. While the lease period stated is five years, it is likely to go up to 10 years, officials said.
