Indian Army Looks To Lease 20 Light Helicopters After Two Decades Of Failed Procurement Efforts

In its latest effort to acquire critically needed light helicopters, the Indian Army has announced its plan to lease 20 aircraft for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes, reported Livefist.

This move comes as the Army has been grappling with a prolonged struggle to replace its aging fleet of French-origin Alouette-II and Alouette-III (Cheetah and Chetak) helicopters, a process that has spanned over two decades.

Describing the target helicopters as versatile platforms for various roles such as reconnaissance, surveillance, armed recce, directing artillery fire, aerial photography, and more, the Army's intention to lease such aircraft indicates their urgency to address pressing operational requirements in the northern frontiers.

The procurement delays have led to the Army considering leasing as a viable option to meet immediate needs, as they have faced challenges in advancing the two helicopter programs intended to fulfill their full requirement.

Out of the nearly 400 helicopters needed by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, HAL's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and the Indo-Russian license-built Ka-226T were expected to supply approximately half each.

However, the LUH, despite showcasing operational capabilities at high altitudes, has received orders for only a dozen airframes, and the Indo-Russian joint venture for the Ka-226T remains stagnant, with no clarity on fulfilling the 2015 agreement to produce 197 helicopters locally.

The military standoff with China in the eastern Ladakh region since 2020 has accelerated defense procurements, but the light helicopter capability remains unresolved.

The Indian Army's latest Request for Information (RFI) on leasing options adds another chapter to the saga of surges and cancellations.

Contests for acquiring 197 helicopters were cancelled in both 2007 and 2014, with Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter) being a reported frontrunner with its AS 550 C3 Fennec offering.

The 2015 announcement of a co-production joint venture between HAL and Russia for the Ka-226T has faced delays, leaving the indigenous industry in limbo despite the development of HAL's LUH.

The prospect of leasing helicopters has emerged as an unexpected solution. The Army's consideration of this option highlights the challenges faced in India's military procurement process.

In conclusion, the Indian Army's search for light helicopters via leasing adds another twist to their long-standing struggle for procurement. As the Army explore options, the future of these vital military assets remains uncertain.