The Indian Ministry of Defence has initiated the process for the future acquisition of 76 naval utility helicopters, aimed to bolster the capabilities of the Navy and the Coast Guard. The allocation envisages 51 units for the Indian Navy and 25 for the Indian Coast Guard, with uses ranging from maritime surveillance to general utility missions, and managing emergencies and low-intensity operations at sea.
The ministry has issued a Request for Information (RFI), the first step of the bidding procedure, directed at potential manufacturers capable of producing the aircraft directly in India, as part of the _“Make in India”_ and _“Atmanirbhar Bharat”_ initiatives for technological and industrial self-sufficiency in the defence sector.
The document states that the new helicopters must be twin-engine, with a load capacity of 5.5 tons, and suitable to operate from ships and in maritime conditions. Among the listed missions include search and rescue, medical evacuation, troop and materials transportation, in addition to coastal patrol and anti-piracy tasks. Full day and night operability are also required, even in adverse weather conditions.
Today, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard operate with a diverse fleet of helicopters, which includes the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the older Cheetah and Chetak, derivatives of the French models Aérospatiale Alouette III and SA 315B Lama. The ageing of these platforms, coupled with a series of fatal accidents recorded in recent years, has hastened the commencement of replacement and modernization programs.
The RFI for the 76 naval and coast guard helicopters is the second issued by the MoD in just a few weeks. At the beginning of August, the ministry had already opened another procedure for the procurement of 200 multirole light helicopters, intended for the Army’s aviation (120 units for reconnaissance and surveillance tasks) and partially for the Air Force (80 units).
