Navy to get advanced choppers:

Navy to get advanced choppers:

Context

• The Indian Navy is looking to add to its fleet dedicated helicopters for ‘Special Operations’.
• Of the 123 Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) to be procured, 33 will be dedicated variants for Special Operations.

Why government is procuring these helicopters

• Helicopters would be used for training Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and the rest would be based on shore as well as on frontline warships.·

How government will procure?

• The Navy had issued the Request for Information (RFI) to global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) for the procurement of 123 NMRH and 111 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH) last week.
• The procurement would be under the recently approved Strategic Partnership (SP) model of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).
• The helicopters would have twin-engine and weigh at least 12.5 tonnes.
• According to the RFI, the requirements include the ability to carry 12 fully equipped troops along with 400 Kg of equipment or eight fully equipped troops and one auto inflatable craft in a stowed configuration.

Other roles to perform

• The helicopters will also perform other roles like ferrying troops, maritime interdiction including anti-piracy operations, combat search and rescue operation, external cargo carriage, limited casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.