Seeking Inroads Into Country's Russian-Dominated Fleet

As the largest global aircraft manufacturer by revenue and the second-largest defense contractor in the world, Boeing is seeking to make inroads into what is seen by many as the fastest growing aviation marketplace in the world.

Boeing is negotiating a $600 million deal with India's air force helicopter fleet that includes the sale of 12 Chinook CH-47 military transport helicopters, along with support and training, reported the Associated Press.

"We have held unofficial meetings with the Indian air force officials, but haven't got anything in writing," Dean Millsap said. Millsap is the Asia Pacific director of Boeing Integrated Business Development.

Millsap said the company expects the Indian government to ask it for a formal proposal in the second quarter of 2007.

At an Aero India press conference, Tom Cunningham, director for international business development at Boeing Integrated Defence Systems, said the company would take 24-30 months for delivery of the helicopter after getting request for proposal. He hoped that the India Air Force would make a decision in this regard in the next quarter.

The $600 million project will include the cost of the aircraft, support systems, logistics and training programs, Millsap said. "The cost of the aircraft itself is about 18 to 20 percent of the total project cost."

The helicopter, said Cunningham, could be used in national defense, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid. He added that the US Army was using the Chinook for troop movement, logistics support, and aerial battlefield recovery operations.

The Deccan Herald of Karnataka, India, reported the CH-47F Chinooks' capabilities and characteristics, including improved airframe structure to reduce vibration effects, structural enhancements in the cockpit, cabin, aft section, pylon and ramp, integrated cockpit control system, improved Avionics with Digital Advanced Flight Control System and more powerful engines with digital fuel controls.

Having a maximum payload capacity of 21,500-pounds, the craft has an operating range up to 329 nautical miles, has modularized hydraulics and triple cargo hooks, composite, manual-folding, tandem-rotor blades with three blades per hub.

In another Indian air force proposal, Boeing is competing with Lockheed Martin, the largest US military contractor, to win a $9 billion contract for 126 multi-role combat jets; India is considering US fighter jets for the first time to replace its aging Russia-made MiGs.

Lockheed and Boeing are trying to win Indian military contracts for the first time as political relations with the US improve.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF