Sikorsky eyes helicopter deal with Indian Navy

New Delhi: US helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky is actively pursuing defence deals with the Indian Navy to cater to its requirement of multi-role helicopters. The firm is offering the S-70B through the direct commercial sale route. Simultaneously, the US Air Force has responded to the Indian Navy’s RFP for a $1 billion multi-role helicopter with the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60R.
“This is to meet the requirement for 16 helicopters to replace the aging Sea King multi-role helicopters. In addition to this, Sikorsky is also in dialogue with the Indian Coast Guard to meet their specific requirements and has responded to their RFI that was sent out for leasing helicopters,” Steve Estill, vice-president, strategic partnerships, told FE on the sidelines of DefExpo 2010 in New Delhi. The Indian coast guard is keen to lease around 10 helicopters and Sikorsky will be financing the lease, he added.
Acknowledging that India is a fast-growing market and is of high importance to Sikorsky, the company official said, “We want to keep bringing the best of technologies to India and are positive about meeting the requirements of the Indian armed forces and will continuously pursue opportunities here.”
As a direct commercial sale, the firm is offering the S-70B Seahawk and the MH-60R as foreign military sales under the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). “The MH-60R comes with the interaction of the US government,” said Estill.
19/02/10 Huma Siddiqui/Financial Express

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Categories: Foreign Feb 2010, New Feb 2010