<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” plan gets a shot in the arm with Russia offering to manufacture one of its “most potent” helicopters in India, in response to the trust that New Delhi had reposed on Moscow as a trusted supplier of military equipment.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“Russia has offered to fully manufacture in India one of its most advanced helicopters. It includes the possibility of exports from India. It can be used for both military and civilian purposes. We will follow up on this quickly,” Modi said at the conclusion of his summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. <br /><br />Though details of the offer remain sketchy, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar may work out the roadmap when he meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu in the second week of January, sources told Deccan Herald.<br /><br />The offer comes a month after the Defence Ministry issued a new request for information (RFI) to acquire reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters for the Army and Air Force. The new RFI was issued with the aim of “identifying probable Indian vendors who can provide the helicopters followed by licensed production/indigenous manufacture in the country.” The Indian firms have been asked to respond by December 23.<br /><br />Parrikar's predecessor Arun Jaitley cancelled the UPA government's plan to purchase 197 light utility helicopters, 133 for the Army and 64 for the Air Force. The new scheme is to make it in India to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleet, which belong to the 1960s.<br /><br />Though Modi and Putin did not disclose the type of chopper offered, Kamov 226T is speculated to be the platform because it participated in the last tender.<br />India's light helicopter requirement, however, is not restricted to only 197 platforms. Taking every programme into account the number could be more than 1,000, said Air Marshal (rtd) M Matheswaran, advisor to the chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.<br /><br />While an unspecified number of the rotor craft are to be delivered in flyaway condition, the new RFI says licensed production and indigenous manufacture in India should begin within 3-4 years of signing the contract, with a minimum of 50 per cent indigenous content. <br /><br />“Even as India's options have increased, Russia will remain our most important defence partner. President Putin and I discussed a broad range of new defence projects. We also discussed how to align our defence relations to India's own priorities, including Make in India,” Modi said.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” plan gets a shot in the arm with Russia offering to manufacture one of its “most potent” helicopters in India, in response to the trust that New Delhi had reposed on Moscow as a trusted supplier of military equipment.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“Russia has offered to fully manufacture in India one of its most advanced helicopters. It includes the possibility of exports from India. It can be used for both military and civilian purposes. We will follow up on this quickly,” Modi said at the conclusion of his summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. <br /><br />Though details of the offer remain sketchy, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar may work out the roadmap when he meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu in the second week of January, sources told Deccan Herald.<br /><br />The offer comes a month after the Defence Ministry issued a new request for information (RFI) to acquire reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters for the Army and Air Force. The new RFI was issued with the aim of “identifying probable Indian vendors who can provide the helicopters followed by licensed production/indigenous manufacture in the country.” The Indian firms have been asked to respond by December 23.<br /><br />Parrikar's predecessor Arun Jaitley cancelled the UPA government's plan to purchase 197 light utility helicopters, 133 for the Army and 64 for the Air Force. The new scheme is to make it in India to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleet, which belong to the 1960s.<br /><br />Though Modi and Putin did not disclose the type of chopper offered, Kamov 226T is speculated to be the platform because it participated in the last tender.<br />India's light helicopter requirement, however, is not restricted to only 197 platforms. Taking every programme into account the number could be more than 1,000, said Air Marshal (rtd) M Matheswaran, advisor to the chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.<br /><br />While an unspecified number of the rotor craft are to be delivered in flyaway condition, the new RFI says licensed production and indigenous manufacture in India should begin within 3-4 years of signing the contract, with a minimum of 50 per cent indigenous content. <br /><br />“Even as India's options have increased, Russia will remain our most important defence partner. President Putin and I discussed a broad range of new defence projects. We also discussed how to align our defence relations to India's own priorities, including Make in India,” Modi said.</p>
