INDIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEFS ON OUR RELENTLESS AND FOCUSED PUBLISHING EFFORTS
The insightful articles, inspiring narrations and analytical perspectives presented by the Editorial Team, establish an alluring connect with the reader. My compliments and best wishes to SP Guide Publications.
"Over the past 60 years, the growth of SP Guide Publications has mirrored the rising stature of Indian Navy. Its well-researched and informative magazines on Defence and Aerospace sector have served to shape an educated opinion of our military personnel, policy makers and the public alike. I wish SP's Publication team continued success, fair winds and following seas in all future endeavour!"
Since, its inception in 1964, SP Guide Publications has consistently demonstrated commitment to high-quality journalism in the aerospace and defence sectors, earning a well-deserved reputation as Asia's largest media house in this domain. I wish SP Guide Publications continued success in its pursuit of excellence.
Indian Coast Guard chopper competition moves forward
Woefully short of aviation assets, the Indian Coast Guard finally has reason to cheer, with the technical bids from three vendors to support a sale of 14 shore-based twin engine multirole helicopters is complete, paving the way for the field evaluation trials (FET) stage. The three companies competing are Eurocopter, Sikorsky and AgustaWestland.
The RFP for the acquisition—one of two, the other being for 16 shipborne multi-utility choppers—was issued on November 5, 2012. In April this year, Defence Minister A.K. Antony clarified on AgustaWestland's participation in ongoing Indian tenders in the light of the VVIP helicopter investigation.
He informed Parliament, "Since no decision to debar the said company from participation in the procurement process has so far been taken, the bids are under process." Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources suggest that even in a worst case scenario, the potential ejection of AgustaWestland from the competition in the event of a possible blacklist, would leave two contenders in the fray, thereby avoiding a single vendor situation, and therefore avoiding a re-tender.
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