India to lease naval helicopters in the interim
The Indian Navy's Chetak utility helicopters are well overdue for replacement. (Gordon Arthur)
With roadblocks in its Naval Utility Helicopter programme, India's Navy sees leasing as a potential stop-gap solution.
The Indian Navy’s (IN) Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) programme is years old but it has made little discernible progress. However, the project took another fork in the road when an RfI was released on 23 April to lease 24 utility helicopters.
Directed at OEMs, leasing firms and government export agencies, the RfI noted that the leasing period is for an initial five years, and will include the helicopters as well as maintenance support, performance-based logistics, ground support equipment and crew training.
This effort is one of the first after the MoD approved the leasing model by modifying the Defence Acquisition
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Why is the US far behind Russia and China in the space warfare domain?]()
Why is the US far behind Russia and China in the space warfare domain?
While Beijing and Moscow have been working on anti-satellite weapons at an accelerated speed, Washington still does not have capabilities to defeat them, with one US legislator describing the situation as “the Cuban Missile Crisis in space”.
-
![UK MoD unveils first steps for British Army Watchkeeper replacement]()
UK MoD unveils first steps for British Army Watchkeeper replacement
Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
-
![Sweden requests approval to pursue Gripen and GlobalEye sales to Peru and Denmark]()
Sweden requests approval to pursue Gripen and GlobalEye sales to Peru and Denmark
The Swedish Government has asked parliament to authorise two possible export sales as part of its 2025 Spring amending budget bill.
-
![Germany confirms loitering munitions contracts for its armed forces]()
Germany confirms loitering munitions contracts for its armed forces
Contracts for the procurement of two platforms have been signed, and will be tested by the German armed forces.
-
![Spanish Air Force receives first converted A330 MRTT]()
Spanish Air Force receives first converted A330 MRTT
The second and third Airbus A330 MRTT for the Spanish Air Force have been undergoing conversion in Getafe, Madrid.
