Article Posted on : - Sep 11, 2012

NH Industries' NH90 naval helicopters are in contention for the Navy's tender to procure 16 multirole choppers.

NEW DELHI (PTI): European firm NH Industries has written to the Indian Defence Ministry complaining against its rival American Sikorsky in the USD one billion tender for multirole helicopters, a step which has not been received well by the Indian Navy.

This is the second time the NH Industries has written against its American rival in the deal for acquiring 16 multirole helicopters, which has been delayed by over six years now.

In its letter to the Ministry, the NH Industries has said to the effect that Sikorsky's chopper S-70B was not compliant to the tender requirements and it has failed to meet the requirements, sources said here.

The same complaints were sent to the Defence Ministry earlier also by the company but the Navy had sent a point-by-point rebuttal to the Ministry over the company's contentions.

Earlier also such communication from the company was replied to in detail by the Navy and there is no reason for the European firm to be dissatisfied, the sources said.

The field evaluation trials were completed by the Navy last year and the report has been submitted to the Defence Ministry for final decision.

The NH Industries has also demanded that if waivers have been given to Sikorsky in the tender then it should be extended to it as well.