16 October 2014

News Story: India Cancels Navy LUH Tender; Issues New Request


By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

NEW DELHI — India has canceled yet another light utility helicopter (LUH) global tender, this time for the Navy, which has rushed to float a new request for information to domestic companies for the troubled program, said a Defence Ministry source.

The request seeks to gauge company interest in manufacturing an unspecified number of LUHs in partnership with foreign firms.

The Ministry of Defence early this month canceled the Navy’s global tender issued in 2012 for the procurement of 56 LUHs. The Navy had hoped to induct the helicopters by 2016. The competitors, Airbus Helicopters and AgustaWestland, have been informed of MoD’s decision to cancel the tender, the source added.

No official from either AgustaWestland or Airbus Helicopters was available to comment on the cancellation.

Read the full story at DefenseNews