|
|
Article: Indian Army eyes Bell, Eurocopter for aviation corps
- Article from:
- The Hindustan Times
- Article date:
- April 30, 2006
CopyrightCopyright © HT Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
New Delhi, April 30 -- The Indian Army is believed to have short-listed the Bell-407 and the Eurocopter AS 550 for a Rs.22 billion ($500 million) contract for 197 light helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs, some of which were inducted more than three decades ago.
"The final trials have been conducted and we are definitely in the race," an official of Bell Helicopter India Inc., an American company, said.
An Indian Army officer confirmed the two helicopters were in the race but wasn't sure of the stage at which the project was. Eurocopter officials were not immediately available for comment.
The army has projected a requirement for a helicopter that can carry loads ...