02-20-2008, 10:33 PM
From the same file an article about Army's High Altitude Light Helicopter.
<b>Win-Win Solution for Armyâs High Altitude Light Helicopter</b>
The Indian Army has been endeavouring to purchase a large number of high-altitude high-performance helicopters since the Kargil conlict.
<b>Early attempts to import the helicopter from Eurocopter were thwarted by HAL. They could prove that although of an older design, Cheetah, made by them, could have comparable performance with the Ecuriel Eurocopter. Actual light trials conducted in the high-altitude Himalayan region by both Cheetah and Ecuriel testiied in HALâs favour and the import proposal was scrapped. </b>
Subsequently HAL undertook to upgrade the Cheetah with a more powerful engine to provide the Army with a high-altitude high-performance helicopter. This has been accomplished since then. <b>However, the Foreign Lobby pressure for import continued, and based on a tender the Eurocopter military variant AS550 Fennec and a Bell 407 were short-listed and inally the Eurocopter AS550 Fennec was selected. Recently the Defence Ministry scrapped the contract for import citing some procedural lapse.</b>
Whatever be the reasons for this scrapping of the contract, it is an opportunity for all concerned to work together to meet the Armyâs need. It is a fact to be noted that neither the AS550 Fennec nor the Bell 407 helicopter is designed for our requirements in the high altitude border area.
HALâs re-engined Cheetah, which already holds a world record, will be an ideal immediate solution. This helicopter is now upgraded with a more powerful engine and HAL has already supplied a few helicopters and everyone seems to be agreeing on their better performance. It would be desirable for the Army to place orders with HAL for the Cheetal (upgraded Cheetah) to meet their immediate requirements for the next two-three years and persuade HAL to take up the development of high-altitude high-performance helicopters in collaboration with a risk sharing partner.
<b>In fact HAL had already made the conceptual design of a very high altitude helicopter, the LOH, and the speciications of the same are far superior to what is proposed to be imported. With the technologies developed, such a helicopter can become a reality in four-five years. This period could perhaps be further reduce by outsourcing considerable amount of work to private sector industries in India with considerable capabilities and IT-enabled design and manufacturing facilities in aerospace. </b>
Partnership with established helicopter design and manufacturing firms from overseas on a cost and work sharing basis could also be beneicial. For this, HAL and Indian private sector industries must be proactive and play a vital role. They should urge the Government not to re-tender for a sub-standard imported helicopter.
The design and development of a really superior high-performance high-altitude indigenous helicopter with the HAL in the lead and in partnership with Indian and overseas industries is the most desired option.
It is in the interest of building on our competence, emerging as a leader in helicopter design and development and being in a position to continue to meet the needs of the armed forces. This option will also be beneicial to partners including the user. Growth through partnership and synergizing our strength for better performance to make a superior product will benefit all.
<b>Win-Win Solution for Armyâs High Altitude Light Helicopter</b>
The Indian Army has been endeavouring to purchase a large number of high-altitude high-performance helicopters since the Kargil conlict.
<b>Early attempts to import the helicopter from Eurocopter were thwarted by HAL. They could prove that although of an older design, Cheetah, made by them, could have comparable performance with the Ecuriel Eurocopter. Actual light trials conducted in the high-altitude Himalayan region by both Cheetah and Ecuriel testiied in HALâs favour and the import proposal was scrapped. </b>
Subsequently HAL undertook to upgrade the Cheetah with a more powerful engine to provide the Army with a high-altitude high-performance helicopter. This has been accomplished since then. <b>However, the Foreign Lobby pressure for import continued, and based on a tender the Eurocopter military variant AS550 Fennec and a Bell 407 were short-listed and inally the Eurocopter AS550 Fennec was selected. Recently the Defence Ministry scrapped the contract for import citing some procedural lapse.</b>
Whatever be the reasons for this scrapping of the contract, it is an opportunity for all concerned to work together to meet the Armyâs need. It is a fact to be noted that neither the AS550 Fennec nor the Bell 407 helicopter is designed for our requirements in the high altitude border area.
HALâs re-engined Cheetah, which already holds a world record, will be an ideal immediate solution. This helicopter is now upgraded with a more powerful engine and HAL has already supplied a few helicopters and everyone seems to be agreeing on their better performance. It would be desirable for the Army to place orders with HAL for the Cheetal (upgraded Cheetah) to meet their immediate requirements for the next two-three years and persuade HAL to take up the development of high-altitude high-performance helicopters in collaboration with a risk sharing partner.
<b>In fact HAL had already made the conceptual design of a very high altitude helicopter, the LOH, and the speciications of the same are far superior to what is proposed to be imported. With the technologies developed, such a helicopter can become a reality in four-five years. This period could perhaps be further reduce by outsourcing considerable amount of work to private sector industries in India with considerable capabilities and IT-enabled design and manufacturing facilities in aerospace. </b>
Partnership with established helicopter design and manufacturing firms from overseas on a cost and work sharing basis could also be beneicial. For this, HAL and Indian private sector industries must be proactive and play a vital role. They should urge the Government not to re-tender for a sub-standard imported helicopter.
The design and development of a really superior high-performance high-altitude indigenous helicopter with the HAL in the lead and in partnership with Indian and overseas industries is the most desired option.
It is in the interest of building on our competence, emerging as a leader in helicopter design and development and being in a position to continue to meet the needs of the armed forces. This option will also be beneicial to partners including the user. Growth through partnership and synergizing our strength for better performance to make a superior product will benefit all.