Agence France-Presse,
NEW DELHI: India will soon invite bids to supply its armed forces with 384 helicopters in a deal valued a nearly $2 billion, defense ministry officials told AFP on April 11.
“The Defence Acquisition Council on Thursday night gave its go-ahead to the government to invite request for proposals from global firms for 384 helicopters,” an official from the policy-making agency said.
In December, India scrapped a $600 million deal for 197 helicopters with Eurocopter, the helicopter unit of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), after problems with the contract.
Two months later, the air force added its requirement of 115 helicopters to the 197 units the army wanted, pushing the value of the deal to $1 billion and the number of aircraft to 312.
“The requirements have now been altered and the tenders will be for 384 units,” said the defense official, who asked not to be named.
