Question : PROCUREMENT OF HELICOPTERS

(a) whether the Government has signed deal to procure 12 three-engined helicopters from an Italian Company;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the estimated cost and specification and the purpose for which these helicopters are being procured;

(c) whether the Finance Ministry had objected to this deal due to security concerns;

(d) if so, the circumstances which necessitated his Ministry to go for the deal;

(e) whether any tendering process was held in this deal; and

(f) if so, the steps taken or being taken by the Government to spend the funds judiciously?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

(a) & (b): A contract for the procurement of 12 AW-101 helicopters was signed between Ministry of Defence and M/s Agusta Westland Limited, United Kingdom on 8th February 2010. The cost of the project is Rs.3546.17 crore. Out of these 12 helicopters, eight helicopters will be configured for VVIP transportation and four helicopters will be the non-VVIP version.

(c) & (d): The helicopters were procured to replace the ageing Mi-8 helicopters being used in this role that are nearing completion of their technical life. There were no objections raised by the Ministry of Finance relating to any security concerns raised by the Special Protection Group (SPG) or the Indian Air Force.

(e) & (f): Yes, Madam. A global Request for Proposal was issued and a multi-vendor procurement procedure followed as per Defence Procurement Procedure-2006.