Airbus eyes India market for Panther MBe helicopters

Compared to the bid of EC in coast guard competition where they won by pitching 300 million USD for 14

 

You are confusing with MH-60. Which is very different from the legacy S-70B. These are on the way out.

Let them do the LCC on negotiation. We will see.
EC can never be cheaper than S-70 (without goodies).

 

Nah, 100% Aribus Military are going to scoop up MII for at least 1 naval helo program (NMRH or NLUH), if not both. Kamov have zero chance of a naval helo sale to India beyond the Ka-31 and Sikorsky are not showing the same impetus as Airbus.

Why the GoI/PMO haven't simply gone for a G-G deal to make 150++ EC-725 (H225M) in India for the combined needs of the IN,ICG and IAF by now is simply beyond me. One would have thought the new strategic shift between India and France would have allowed India to secure a sweet deal for itself here, Airbus have already scouted sites for a production unit with Mahindra.

On top of this the GoI is STILL messing around with the S-7oB deal that was cleared by the DAC A YEAR ago, this deal for just 16 (maybe 24) helos is barely enough to meet the requirements of 5 years ago but with an ever expanding surface fleet I simply don't understand the logic in such a measely order with zero local assembly and zero ToT.

Putting aside the Ka-31s that the IN was FORCED to procure as part of the Viky sale, the IN hasn't inducted a SINGLE new helo in DECADES. Now a fleet that was outdated 15+ years ago (Sea Kings and Cheetaks) is being asked to serve another decade or so leading to the simply unaccetable need to do away with the traditional concept of integral aviation assets (ie designated helos for each induvidual ship). Instead IN ships now have to make do with SHARING pooled aviation assets leading to a situation where $1Bn USD destroyers are going to sea with empty hangers and dedicated ASW corvettes don't even have ASW helos.

In short, the IN's rotary wing is a complete joke and there really isn't much hope of turning it around for at least another 7-8 years all whilst the sub-suface threat profile of the IN is only expanding and the demand on the current relic fleet is growing. This is a crisis that was all too forseeable but it seems the Indian "chalta hai" attitude still exists in senior positions as there is ZERO corrective action being taken. India still only addresses its issues in a reactive manner.

Really it seems the IN is only competent when it comes to planning and implementing their road maps for their surface fleet all their other arms (aviation, sub-surface etc) take a back seat by the surface dominated top brass.


Shameful to say the least.


@PARIKRAMA

 

The EC-725 has already beat Sikorsky for the ICG, that is a fact bro.

 

The dhDhr fits the bill perfectly
DRDO has already developed a light torpedoe and dipping sonar , both of which have been approved by the navy , the dhruv has similar empty weight as the panther but can carry an extra ton of payload , it also carries 25% more fuel.
If the navy accepts the Dhruv they will have a capable ASW platform.
Also HAL has begun issuing PBL contracts , which ensure that a minimum 75%availability.
The mk3 is also much more reliable and all the problems of the MK1&2 have been resolved