Sikorsky Corp bagged 6000 crore rupee deal to supply S-70B Seahawks to Indian Navy

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp of the US on 5 December 2014 bagged the 6000 crore rupees deal for supply of 16 Multi-role Helicopters (MRH) to the Indian Navy with an option for eight additional aircraft. The company will also provide complete logistics support and training program.

Sikorsky was selected for the deal after it won the commercial bids that were opened on 4 December 2014.  

As per the deal, Sikorsky will supply S-70B Seahawk to India. The S-70B aircraft is part of Sikorsky’s SEAHAWK helicopter family (including the SH-60 and MH-60 models) and can be used both for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.

The proposed Indian Navy S-70B variant will include avionics and flexible open architecture Weapons Management Systems that will integrate advanced sonar, 360 degree search radar, modern air-to-surface missiles, torpedoes for the ASW role, and a blade and tail fold capability will facilitate shipboard storage.

Background
Earlier in 2008, Indian Navy had floated a tender for 16 helicopters with an option for another eight and had selected Finmecccanica’s NH-90 and Sikrosky’s S-70B helicopters for evaluation.

But European company Finmeccanica, which is the parent company of AgustaWestland was banned in August 2014 due to 3550 crore rupees VVIP helicopter scam leaving Sikrosky as the sole bidder.