AS565 in The Indian Tender?

According to Indian media, Eurocopter has decided to issue AS565 MB Panther in the recently announced tender for 56 multi-role light helicopters for the navy of that country.

Tender for new helicopters was announced a few weeks ago. Machines now being used to replace Cheetah and Chetak. As the leading candidates in the fight for the contract lists the manufacturers such as Sikorsky Aircraft, Eurocopter, Kamov and Augusta Westland. According to unofficial reports, the Indian media, which is part of EADS Eurocopter, joined the tender offer AS565 MB Panther.

This information has not yet been confirmed by representatives of the manufacturer. But the fact is that the Eurocopter AS565 has already offered a similar tender for multi-purpose helicopters for the Navy Denmark. It should also be noted that Eurocopter will start a tender for 197 light helicopters for the Indian Army.

Panther is the military variant of the civil AS365 Dauphin. Responsible for the mechanical propulsion machinery Turbomeca Arriel 2 engines 2C, so that it can develop a maximum speed to 287 km / h (with a maximum take-off weight up to 4.3 t). The range is 792 km. Helicopter may be involved to a wide range of activities, including shares of SAR patrol flights or counterterrorism operations.