New Delhi: In view of delays in the tender to procure 197 light helicopters, the Defence Ministry has asked the two vendors in the race for the multi-billion dollar deal to extend the validity of their commercial offer.
"One of the firms, European Eurocopter has told the Ministry that 'in absence of any visibility regarding the finalisation of the case, we are unable to grant a further extension to our commercial offer'," defence sources told PTI.
The other company in the over 48-month-old tender is Russian Kamov, which is offering its Ka-226 Sergei choppers.
The 197 light helicopters are being procured by the Army and the IAF to replace their fleet of vintage Cheetah/Chetak fleet of choppers, which are critical for providing supplies to troops deployed in Siachen Glacier and other high altitude areas.
19/12/12 PTI/Economic Times
