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 Raytheon’s
Business Development Manager for missile systems
Brad Barnard told newsmen here that the Stinger
AAM is already on board the Boeing Apache 64D
which the Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to
buy. But the missile could also de deployed on
board India’s LCH and other helicopters used both
by IAF and the Indian Army.
The Boeing Apache has been cleared by the US
Government along with onboard Stingers, Lockheed
Martin’s Hellfire missiles and Northrop Grumman’s
Longbow radar. These powerful combat systems would
need to be cleared again by the US State and Defense
departments if India wants them for other aircraft
or vehicles.
Barnard said: “We have offered the Stinger missile
as part of weapons package with the Apache-64D
offered by the US Government to the IAF’s tender
for 22 attack helicopters, but it should be available
for IAF and Army helicopters.
Procedurally, US companies are not allowed to
make offers of military equipment without US Government’s
concurrence. Washington has been saying that it
is willing to sell sophisticated equipment to
India, and apparently, it has given the nod to
Raytheon.
The shoulder launched version of the Stinger
became famous in the 1980s after Afghans used
the weapon to shoot down many Soviet helicopters.
This version is however not on the table; neither
India has asked for it nor the US has offered
it. The Stinger though can easily be mounted on
vehicles.
India is buying 22 combat helicopters. IAF is
yet to disclose the winner but the other competitor
in the race, Russia’s Mi 28, is reported to have
lost.
HAL has two LCH prototypes undergoing extensive
tests. The French Nexter gun has successfully
been tested but there are no reports yet about
AAMs. Meant for the Himalayan high altitudes,
IAF has a likely order of 60-plus helicopters.
The Stinger can also be used on the Dhruv Advanced
Light Helicopter (ALH) already being flown by
the Army in the northern mountains. The armed
version of the ALH, designated Rudra by the Army
Aviation Corps, has successfully been test flown
at 20,000 by Army’s ace pilot, Brig Amardeep Sidhu.
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