New Delhi, Feb 15 (PTI) AgustaWestland, which has got

into controversy in the VVIP helicopter deal, is taking part in several defence tenders worth around Rs 15,000 crore. Sources said the firm is offering its NH-90 helicopter in the Rs 5,000 crore tender for supplying 16 multi-role helicopters to the navy. In this contract, AgustaWestland is facing competition from American Sikorsky which has offered its S-70 Sea Hawk chopper. The deal is in a mature stage with the navy having completed the field evaluation trials and the commercial bids of the two contenders is expected to be opened soon, the sources said. The company is also planning to offer its choppers for navy's requirement of 56 twin-engine light helicopters. The deal is executed to be worth over Rs 3,000 crore. It is also in the process of responding to a Coast Guard tender for procuring 16 medium-lift helicopters. The tender is expected to be the tune of over Rs 1000 crore. AgustaWestland is also bidding for Indian Navy's tender for upgrading the fleet of Navy's Seaking choppers supplied by it in the 80s and the 90s. The company is in competition with Israeli firm IAI. The firm had taken part in an Indian programme in the early 2000 to resurrect the fleet of Sea King helicopters which were not able to fly due to lack of spares and other systems.