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Russia loses Indian tender for combat helicopter

Russia has lost the Indian helicopter tender to the U.S.. India preferred U.S. Boeing AH-64D ‘Apache’ to Russia’s Mil Mi-28N ‘Night Hunter’

NEW DELHI, October 25 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia has lost the Indian helicopter tender to the U.S.. India preferred U.S. Boeing AH-64D ‘Apache’ to Russia’s Mil Mi-28N ‘Night Hunter’, Indian sources told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

India plans to buy 22 combat helicopters for $600 million.

The Indian media said after tests held in late 2010, including test shooting of helicopter weaponry, that the Indian Air Force gave preference to U.S. Boeing AH-64D ‘Apache’. The tests were held on the territories of the client and the producers. Both helicopters passed the tests with merit, but the U.S. product was superior by many parameters, an Indian officer said.

India started seeking a replacement for the outdating Mil Mi-35 in 2008. It appeared that U.S. Bell and Boeing were unable to meet the tight deadlines. They needed more time for gaining approval of the U.S. administration, which controls military exports. The tender announced in 2008 was suspended and called off in early 2009.