http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=132010
  
POLITICS
 
 
 
IAF to zero in on Bell or EADS for choppers 
 
HUMA SIDDIQUI
Posted online: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 0000 hours IST 
  
 
NEW DELHI, JUNE 27:  It could be a trans-Atlantic one-to-one over the supply of helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The race seems to be narrowing down between Bell of the US and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Consortium (EADS).
The US-based helicopter company which is in the race to sell 197 choppers to the Indian Army, told FE that its machines had successfully completed weather trials, meeting all requirements.

The company’s director for international military sales Jay Ortiz said, “The Bell 407 SHEN has completed all-weather trials including hot and cold weathers and have met all the requirements of the Indian Army.”

The Eurocopter of EADS is also vying for the deal which is estimated at about $400 million.

With the Cheetah and Chetak fleets of the Indian Army due for replacement, the AS 350 B3 Ecureuil, with excellent high temperature and high altitude capability has been officially proposed as their successor, Christopher Bach, Eurocopter’s communications head, said. “60 of the 197 helicopters will be delivered in a fully configured frame, the remaining are to be manufactured in cooperation with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL),” he added.

“For this, we have a complete technology package ready. There will be a phased production plan to make these helicopters.”

Director, communications, Greg Hubbard, said as the helicopters are built in batches, we will be providing lesser kits to enable HAL make them indigenously.