Ministry of defence reconsidering blacklisting policy

In February 2013, Italian prosecutors arrested Giuseppe Orsi, the chief executive of Italian defence multinational, Finmeccanica on suspicion of paying bribes to facilitate the sale of VIP helicopters to India. Since then, the ministry of defence (MoD) has been in a quandary about whether to blacklist Finmeccanica and all its subsidiaries, or only AgustaWestland, the subsidiary that built and sold the AW-101 helicopters to India.

 Blacklisting all Finmeccanica companies - which include marine specialist, WASS; radar and communications specialist Selex Electronics Systems; aerospace giant, Alenia Aeromacchi; and armaments major, Otomelara - would undermine Indian tenders, in which they are important players.

On Saturday, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said the MoD would see how wrongdoers could be punished without blocking acquisitions and the flow of spares.

 "It is a serious challenge. We have to balance between two competing public interests. One is contracts are meant to be abided with and not violated, even by our suppliers. The other is the larger public interest in terms of our national security and defence preparedness. We are finding an answer. You will hear from us soon."

Referring to the AW-101 VIP helicopters, of which India had taken delivery of three before ending the contract with AgustaWestland for twelve, Jaitley said the decision "relates to cases where (a) violations have taken place and (b) the consequences of those violations affect our defence preparedness…particularly where parts and spares are to be made available."

 The MoD has been alarmed by the potential consequences of blacklisting all Finmeccanica subsidiaries. WASS has been selected in a $300-million tender to supply 98 Black Shark torpedoes for the Scorpene submarines. A reconsideration of this would delay the operationalisation of the Scorpene, several years late. When the submarines start joining the navy's fleet in 2016, it will be armed only with the Exocet anti-ship missile. There will be no weapon to take on Pakistan's silent new Khalid-class submarines, the French Agosta-90B. WASS is also a contender for a new decoy system for torpedoes.

 Finmeccanica company, Otomelara, is the licensee for 76-millimetre (mm) guns, built by Bharat Heavy Electricals, which equip all Indian warships. Otomelara is a leading bidder in the navy contract for heavier 127 millimetre guns, considered more suitable than the lighter, older guns. It is being considered for supplying 12.7-mm stabilised guns.

 A subsidiary, Selex Electronics Systems (Selex ES), is fitting radar systems on the INS Vikrant, the navy's indigenous aircraft carrier being built by Cochin Shipyard. Cancelling this would cause major delay in a project three years behind schedule. Selex ES is bidding to upgrade the navy's Kamov-28 anti-submarine helicopter. It has completed trials for supplying an advanced pilotless target aircraft, for training air defence gunners.

 Meanwhile, Alenia Aeromacchi, a subsidiary, is a desired partner in the project for the Indian private sector to build 56 transport aircraft to replace the obsolescent Indian Air Force (IAF) Avro. Alenia's C-27J transport aircraft, a proven design, is considered closest to what the IAF desires.

 AgustaWestland is a leading contender for supplying the navy with a multi-role helicopter in the 12-tonne class, to fly from warships and perform the job the Sea King 42B has been doing for decades. With three AW-101 VIP helicopters delivered, ending the contract would create uncertainty about spares and support.

 Since the blacklisting of AgustaWestland, the United Progressive Alliance government failed to take a decision on Finmeccanica. Since it came to power, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government has sent mixed messages.

 In June, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh had indicated he would not favour trigger-happy blacklisting that may hinder Indian defence procurement by preventing many companies from responding to Indian tenders. Yet, earlier this month, the MoD sent a circular directing that, while tenders involving Finmeccanica companies could continue being evaluated, no Finmeccanica company would be awarded a contract.

Northrop Grumman, AgustaWestland Announce Teaming Agreement to Compete for Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter and Navy 'Marine One' Presidential Helicopter Programs

Northrop Grumman Corporation  and AgustaWestland (AW), a Finmeccanica company, announced that they have signed a comprehensive teaming agreement to respond to anticipated requests for both the new U.S. Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter and the U.S. Navy's recently announced program to develop a new "Marine One" presidential helicopter. A U.S.-built helicopter based on the AW101 platform will be offered by Northrop Grumman to meet these requirements.

The agreement pairs Northrop Grumman's proven management and systems integration expertise with AgustaWestland's world-renowned rotorcraft manufacturing and advanced helicopter design and development. The AW101 system offers both programs an optimum mix of capability to successfully bring the best possible new combat rescue helicopter to the Air Force and the best possible new presidential Helicopter to the Navy-Marine Corps team.

Northrop Grumman has a long history of success in managing the development of complex air systems. The company delivers products across a spectrum of capabilities – from fully autonomous strategic unmanned systems such as the Fire Scout and Global Hawk to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the stealthy B-2 bomber and the most advanced battle management system in the world today, the E-8 Joint STARS. That record will be coupled with the continuous investment in rotorcraft technology development AgustaWestland has made to field the world's most advanced, rugged and reliable helicopters.

Northrop Grumman and AgustaWestland are partnering to offer affordable systems that are total solutions without compromise. These will be proven, advanced rotorcraft, built in the United States and fully integrated with the most advanced mission suites, integrated onboard sensors and communications systems available today. These systems will meet the future needs of both programs. The AW101 system is a mature, reliable, highly capable and combat-proven multimission aircraft that affordably meets the needs of the nation's combat search and rescue forces and will serve the nation's presidents far into the future.

"This is a strong partnership between two companies that combines each company's strengths," said Paul Meyer, vice president and general manager of advanced programs and technology at Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "While Northrop Grumman has broad expertise in systems integration of large aircraft programs, AgustaWestland has world-leading expertise in global rotorcraft and vertical lift. We believe that this industry partnership will bring together the best experience, expertise and resources, ensuring that the customer receives the best solution."

"We are delighted to have Northrop Grumman as a partner, with their impressive history of supporting the U.S. Department of Defense," said Bruno Spagnolini, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland. "We strongly believe that the AW101 is the right aircraft for both missions and that this team can succeed."

AgustaWestland is a global leader in the military and commercial rotorcraft markets and has more than 100 years of experience in the aerospace industry. AgustaWestland now supports over 4,700 aircraft in over 90 countries and has the widest and most modern range of rotorcraft of any manufacturer for military, government and commercial applications. Please visit www.agustawestland.com for more information.

Indian Air Force pilots training on VIP helicopters in Britain

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have begun training on the Agusta Westland AW 101 helicopters in Britain. The same model has been purchased for ferrying dignitaries in India, the first of which are to be delivered by end-2012.

Finmeccanica group CEO Giuseppe Orsi told India Strategic during a media interaction at the Farnborough Air Show that the first batch of the IAF pilots had arrived in Britain as scheduled and were undergoing training at the Agusta Westland facility.

He did not give any details but said that some of the pilots would be trained in Britain as instructors also and they would in turn train their colleagues in India.

   

Agusta Westland, incorporating the former British Westland Helicopters, is a Finmeccanica group company now. It has delivered some 300 helicopters of different types to 22 countries since the merger of Augusta and Westland in 2000.

The week-long air show ended July 15.

IAF had selected the three-engined AW 101 for its VIP squadron in 2010 in a euro 560 million ($827 million) deal for 12 helicopters inclusive of training. The delivery of the 12 helicopters would be completed in 2013.

The AW 101 had also been selected by the US Army for White House use, but President Barack Obama had the deal cancelled as part of the measures to reduce defence expenditure.

The helicopter was selected after field trials whose results were evaluated by the IAF and the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for protection of the prime minister and select political leaders. It was chosen over the American Sikorsky S92 Superhawk and is considered to have got the nod as it had features that suited security requirements.

The IAF has been using Soviet-vintage Mi-8s and some Mi-17s to fly the prime minister and other dignitaries, but both the IAF and the security agencies have been sweating over their continued use. It has also been felt that the VIP helicopters have to be modern, with the best of the communication equipment, and also secured against terror threats.

It is understood that the AW 101 machines are being fitted with missile jammers and electronic warfare counter-measure gadgets as indeed like those of the US or other presidents around the world. No details are available though.

According to IAF sources, eight AW 101 helicopters are being configured for VIP use and the remaining four for carrying support crew, security personnel, baggage and training.

The VIP Squadron, officially designated Air HQ Communication Squadron, was set up in 1952. According to an IAF statement, "the primary role of the squadron is to convey VVIPs/VIPs of India and visiting foreign heads of state and government".

Besides flying Indian leaders for duties and varied missions like aerial survey of disaster-struck areas, the squadron has the distinction of flying the first president of independent India and thereafter all the VVIPs of the country.

The foreign dignitaries transported by this squadron include erstwhile Yugoslavia's Josip Broz Tito, China's Zhou Enlai, Palestine's Yasser Arafat, UN Secretary General U Thant, South Africa's Nelson Mandela, Britain's Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II.

The squadron had the unique privilege of flying Mother Teresa also. The list of such distinguished dignitaries, though, is endless.

The Squadron had acquired Boeing 737s in the 1980s and recently they were replaced with newer generation models with some equipment similar to that also installed on the US President's Air Force One. The US government gave a special sanction once the Indian authorities made a request for some of the equipment.

'Wildcat' shows prowess in flying demonstration

The Royal Navy has unveiled its new helicopters during a trade visit in Korea.

 The Portsmouth-based warship HMS Lancaster welcomed the new Wildcat aircraft as South Korean naval aviators watched it land on and take off during a flying demonstration.

The helicopter is the newest AgustaWestland helicopter, the AW 159. The ‘Wildcat’ is a multi-purpose helicopter for use at sea and on land. The Ministry of Defence has ordered 62 aircraft in all, with 28 destined for the Royal Navy. The first will enter service later this year.

Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Moorhouse, said: “As a former Fleet Air Arm officer it is fantastic to witness first hand this capable aircraft operate from Lancaster. "

With the visit off the south coast of England on Tuesday, HMS Lancaster became only the second Type 23 frigate to host the new aircraft.

The visit came in the middle of an eight-day trip to the UK by South Korean officers who are seeking to buy a new helicopter to fly from their new FFX class frigates which are , due in service from next year.

Sean McElliott, AgustaWestland Senior Product Marketing Manager, said: “The Republic of Korean Navy already operate Lynx aircraft and therefore the conversion to Wildcat will be relatively easy. I am very confident that we are able to offer them a helicopter that is capable of performing to the high standards expected of us.”

It is not certain that the Republic of Korea’s latest acquisition will be built in the UK, but should Wildcat be chosen an initial order will be built in Yeovil, with the potential for further orders to follow.

HMS Lancaster is the fourth of the Type 23 Frigates. She was launched by Her Majesty the Queen in May 1990 and commissioned two years later. The current HMS Lancaster is the sixth to bear the name.