(a) whether Army is importing helicopters designed for high altitude operations
from Russia, United States and Europe;
(b) if so, whether Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is unable to deliver similar
helicopters in the near future; and
(c) if so, when would the HAL be able to build high altitude operationable
helicopters?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a) There is a proposal to import helicopters to replace Cheetah and Chetak for
high altitude operations for which global `Request for Proposal` (RFP) was issued.
(b) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at present does not manufacture
helicopter in the category for which RFP has been issued. The proposal envisages
import of some helicopters and Transfer of Technology from the successful vendor to
enable HAL to manufacture the helicopters.
(c) HAL will be able to manufacture these helicopters after acquiring the Transfer
of Technology.