New Delhi India will ask for new bids in its planned $600 million purchase of 197 light observation helicopters after Bell Helicopters protested the selection of a Eurocopter aircraft.
The government first floated the requirement for Army helicopters to replace 1970s-era Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in 2004, then added requirements for offsets in 2005. The Army plans to expand its aviation corps. The tender drew bids from five contenders: Agusta-Westland of Italy, Bell of the United States, Eurocopter of France, and Kamov and Kazan of Russia.
In March, Bell Helicopter officials complained to ministry officials that the selection process had not been transparent. They said ministry officials had talked with Bell 10 times after the trials, but never mentioned Bell's bid was falling short in two areas.The matter was referred to an internal committee, which in mid-November recommended the purchase be rebid.
Defence Ministry sources said the Army has been asked to redraw the requirements so that a global tender can be refloated.
India plans to buy 60 helicopters outright from the foreign helicopter-maker, then license-produce 137 at state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. [HAL] in Bangalore.
SOURCE: www.defensenews.com
South Korea develops laser weapons
South Korea is developing a mobile truck-mounted laser weapon capable of destroying North Korean missiles and artillery shells, a report said Nov. 10.
A defense ministry research team and defense firms have been involved in the development of high energy laser weapons.
From 2010, South Korea hopes to deploy the weapon, which can counter North Korean missiles and long-range artillery shells deployed along the border, it said.
South Korea faces a potential military threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, which has improved its missile system to cover all East Asia.
In July 2007 North Korea test-fired seven missiles, including the Taepodong-2, which in theory could reach the U.S. west coast. This year the North has tested a series of short-range missiles.
The North's missile launches have heightened tensions in the region in the past decade. In 1998 North Korea sparked alarm in Japan by test-firing a long-range missile over that country.
SOURCE: www.defensenews.com
Taiwan may upgrade "patriots"
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Nov. 13 the possible sale of an upgrade to Taiwan's Patriot PAC-2 Plus missile defense system. The upgrade is for Taiwan's three fire units that encircle Taipei.
The fire units will get new long- and short-range radios, radar enhancements, target identification and remote launching systems, four telemetry kits for live-firing training and electric power plants.
"The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region," a DSCA statement said.
China has officially criticized the upgrade approval. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said the upgrade violated U.S. promises to gradually reduce weapon sales to Taiwan since the U.S. switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. Liu called the sale "rude interference in China's internal affairs."
SOURCE: www.defensenews.com
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