India evinces interest in Chinook heavy lift helicopter

Bangalore, Feb 9 (UNI) India has evinced keen interest in buying the world's most capable heavy-lift helicopter 'Chinook', manufactured by Boeing.

Revealing this to newspersons here, Company Regional Director (Asia Pacific) Dean Mallsap said that though no official statement had been made, Boeing had received an indirect response from the IAF for at least 12 Chinook choppers, valued at around US Dollars 600 million. The request for proposal (RFP) from the Indian Government was expected during the second quarter this year, he added.

He said the price included training and other support services.

However, it might vary depending upon the nature of the request.

Mr Mallsap said that it would take from 20 to 34 months to ensure the implementation of the delivery from the date of issue of the RFP.

Explaining the salient features of the helicopter, he said that it comprised of advanced technology with multi-mission capability, which could be used for national defence, disaster relief, humanitarian aid and nation building. It was capable of external transport of over 24,500 pounds of equipment and internal transport of 55 troops or two combat-equipped jeep vehicles. It would be in active service through 2050, he added.

He said it had proven reliable, rugged and easy to maintain in more than 18 countries. The company had manufactured over 1,000 aircraft to date.

UNI