The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday (May 26) released the tenders for 22 combat and 15 heavy lift choppers to US, European and Russian manufacturers. The new fleet of helicopters will replace the old ones in the Indian Air Force. The tenders or the Request of Proposals (Rfps) needed the approval of the Defence Ministry but due to elections the clearance was on hold. After taking the charge of the office of Defence Minister, AK Antony immediately cleared some of the pending flies including the Rfps of combat helicopters.

 

Over last few years all the three services, Army, Navy and Air Force, have been demanding the replacement of their aging fleet and ammunitions. The aircrafts or ships that were procured earlier have now become outdated as more and more technologically advanced lot has emerged out. Now-a-days most of the army tanks or artillery guns are equipped with sophisticated technology, which help the forces to deter any threat. At the moment the three forces need systems and technologies that are modern and highly sophisticated.

 

According to IAF Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major, it is very important that government should speed up the clearance of the pending files. Defence Minister Antony assured to give more attention on this issue and took action in this regard on the very first day of his new innings in the Ministry. After the 26/11 Mumbia teeror attacks, PM Manmohan Singh had said that it is very important that Indian forces should be equipped with high-tech surveillance systems to monitor the borders and coastline. The proposal to acquire Boeing P8-I long-endurance Maritime Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA) was cleared immediately.