Indian air force looking at Chinooks

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NEW DELHI, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- India reportedly will enter into negotiations with Boeing of the United States for acquisition of 15 CH-47D Chinook helicopters.

The Press Trust of India reported that unidentified Indian Defense Ministry officials said talks on the price of the aircraft and procurement details are the result of Boeing emerging as the low bidder in a helicopter procurement competition.

"The Chinook CH-47D has emerged as the lowest bidder in the tender and would be offered the deal to supply 15 of these helicopters to the (Indian air force)," the newspaper reported.

Indian defense procurement procedures stipulate that a company that is deemed the lowest bidder and which fulfills all the requirements of a tender is awarded the contract.

"The IAF determined the lowest bidder by taking into account the cost of operating the helicopter throughout its life span of 30 years and not merely the per unit cost of the participating machines," the officials were quoted as saying.

The Chinooks would be used by the Indian air force to transport heavy-duty equipment and other supplies to the military in high-elevation locations in northern and northeastern states.

The aircraft will replace Mi-26 helicopters India had procured from the Soviet Union.