Boeing Chinook Wins Indian Helicopter Deal

The Indian Air Force will use Boeing's CH-47F Chinook helicopter, instead of Russia's Mi-26, signaling stronger ties between India and the United States, according to Defense News.

Boeing won the Indian Defense Ministry's bid after Russian officials could not give details about how they would execute their offset liabilities.

A contract is expected to be signed in March, with delivery of the 15 helicopters to be completed within 54 months of signing. The Chinooks will replace more than India's existing fleet of more than two dozen helicopters, most of which have been grounded.

United States firms have been well represented in India recently. A Boeing Apache helicopter beat out Russia's Mi-28 in October, and the United States has reported weapons and equipment sales of more than $8 billion to the country in the past four years, according to Defense News.

According to a defense analyst in India, the United States' equipment is welcome in the country, because it breaks India's dependency on Russia for its needs.

It is not a break that Russia is welcoming. Russian President Vladimir Putin postponed a visit to India as a reaction to the country's recent decisions, according to analysts.

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