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.
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