MEA shoots down defence ministry's helicopter export
Ajai Shukla / New Delhi May 23, 2009, 01:16 IST
The prospects for India’s most promising defence export — the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) — have just been dealt an unexpected blow. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has turned down a Bolivian request for a line of credit to buy seven Dhruvs from Bangalore-based manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Senior officials in India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) are livid. India’s defence exports languish at about Rs 300-400 crore per year, barely 1 per cent of the Rs 30,000 crore spent annually on importing weaponry. The export of seven Dhruvs, each worth Rs 44 crore, would have effectively doubled defence exports.
MoD sources said the MEA turned down Bolivia’s request for a line of credit on the grounds that it was for military equipment. The MEA has not responded to an emailed questionnaire from Business Standard on the subject.
Dhruv ALHs, in fact, have civilian as well as military uses. Of five Dhruvs delivered to Ecuador this year, one was kitted out as a VIP transport for the Ecuadorian president. India has also supplied Dhruvs to Nepal and to Mauritius on easy credit, even as gifts.
Says a senior MoD official, “Frankly speaking, I was surprised by the MEA’s decision. I can only surmise that this decision was taken by someone at the lower level, without realising the implications on India’s defence exports.”
Bolivia barely registers on the MEA’s radar. That country does not have an embassy in New Delhi; an Honorary Consul represents India in La Paz, Bolivia’s capital.
But for the MoD, the sale of Dhruvs to Bolivia would be a vital step in cracking America’s domination of the South American helicopter market, which HAL was targeting aggressively. As more Dhruv ALHs flew in South American skies, HAL planned to set up major support infrastructure to pull in even more customers.
Five years ago, with the Chilean Air Force poised to buy the cheap and rugged Dhruv, Washington’s pressure allegedly forced Santiago to opt for US-made Bell helicopters. HAL bounced back by selling Ecuador five Dhruvs in 2008; Ecuador is reportedly considering a follow-up order. Chile, too, continues to watch with interest.
HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Ashok Nayak, refuses to talk about the MEA’s decision, but points out that HAL’s growing presence in South America will inevitably bring in more customers from that region.
Nayak explains, “We have already delivered the five Dhruv helicopters ordered by Ecuador. Our pilots are training the Ecuadorian Air Force; we have posted 15 HAL maintenance personnel in Ecuador for backup support, along with a substantial inventory of spares. We are steadily gaining experience in supporting the operations of Dhruv ALHs in South America. That is bound to pay off soon.
Helicopters are a vital part of the Bolivian Air Force, since anti-drug operations are its main focus. Without a single fixed-wing fighter aircraft, the Bolivian Air Force currently relies on the venerable American UH-1H Huey helicopter, which is approaching the end of its service life. With the Dhruv providing a state-of-the-art alternative at a price 25 per cent cheaper than its alternatives, Bolivia remains a potential buyer.
i guess that MEA officials are being bribed by someone (External). i think we should go and kick some these babus(Traitors). without direct punishment i am sure they will not improve.
I think it is time for someone to perhaps physically thrash in a metaphorical sense, some of these babus! At the very least this Babu should be instantly sacked before asking him for any explanation! What is the Raksha Mantri going to do about it? Does he care - does anyone care? Definitely not!
I do not want to say anything more. The previous comments says all. Does the ministry of external affairs have any any kind of "Restricted Countries" list maintained like United States. If the Govt of India is aware of this incident still it did not take any decision about it, then that is most ridiculuous way of handling things.
" WHAT PLONKERS " Bolivia can use the helicopters anyway they like what have we got to do with it? When we buy MIG's does Russia tell us not to use against Pak. Instead of capturing the South American market these idiots are ruining trade and relations. You haven't got something special like Apache "DODOS" so stop imaging you are on top of the world just because you got some small orders. Go back and bring them back to the table and apologise......you scums!!!!!!!!!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE THE TRAITOROUS SCUM WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY. SELLING OUT NATIONAL INTERESTS FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR, BRIBES. THE BASTARDS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DECISION SHOULD BE HUNG UP BY THEIR TOE NAILS.
PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS MATTER BUS. STD, , MAYBE THIS CAN BE TURNED AROUND.
There we go again. It is so hard to believe that while our scientists and engineers at DRDO and HAL are working so hard to make it's product a successful one one single babu can shoot down the entire project with a swing of his pen. Put this babu on a donkey, smear his face with tar and take him around south block.
Content Guide
