Global hunt for 234 naval helicopters and 111 armed naval light utility choppers

India has launched a global hunt for 123 naval multi-role helicopters (NMRHs), with potent anti-submarine warfare capabilities, as well as 111 armed naval light utility choppers (NUHs) for operations from the decks of warships.

The projects, together worth well over $ 5 billion, will be executed under the new “strategic partnership” (SP) policy under the “Make in India” framework.

The SP policy is basically meant to boost the indigenous defence production sector, with Indian private sector companies producing cutting-edge weapon systems in collaboration with global armament majors through joint ventures and technology transfers.

The government had earlier issued the RFI (request for information) to arms majors of six countries for the over Rs 70,000 crore project to build six advanced stealth submarines in collaboration with an Indian shipyard under the SP policy.

For the two helicopter projects, the government has also sought responses from original equipment manufacturers through RFIs by early-October.