BY : Indian Express Newspapers

Italian Augusta Westland has emerged as the front-runner in the race for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 12 VIP helicopters. Finmeccanica’s helicopter division, Augusta Westland, was the frontrunner in a multi-million contract to supply 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopters worth around Rs 1400 crore (approx Rs 110 crore each) for use by the President and prime minister.

Four of these are for the use by the Special Protection Group. In what maybe termed as a replay of the Marine One contest for the US presidential helicopter last year, field evaluations conducted by the IAF, the triple-engine Italian helicopter was pitched against its only competitor, the US Sikorsky S-92.

AgustaWestland, the Anglo-Italian helicopter maker, had recently won a contract to build the new US presidential helicopter fleet, dealing a blow to American rival Sikorsky, which has flown the president since 1957.

The first major sale of US military hardware was a refurbished warship, the USS

Trenton, renamed INS Jalashwa coupled with 16 multi-mission MH-60R Sikorsky helicopters costing about $400 million.

The Indian contract to be signed any time soon for the flying offices equipped with advanced communication aids and self-protection devices could well be the greatest Italian export to India since early 1960s. While the IAF will be buying 12 helicopters the US has placed an order for 20 machines.

Sources speaking to FE on conditions of anonymity said, “ Very elaborate evaluations have been done by a high level team consisting of test pilots and engineers of the IAF.” Infact, the whole evaluation procedure very elaborate took more time than usual.

Admitting that the commercial deal has not yet been inked, industry sources pointed out that “The IAF deal is very prestigious for the company, especially when you are looking at an aircraft of this nature safety is of prime importance. The US president will have the same machine. Their aircraft will be delivered in 2009.”