📍New Delhi | 28 Apr, 2026, 9:41 PM
UHLH Helicopter IAF: Indian Air Force has released the Request for Information for ULH i.e. Ultra Heavy Lift Helicopter to strengthen its heavy lift capacity. In this process extracted from the Ministry of Defence, helicopters are being explored which can lift extremely heavy weights and prepare for operation in a short time. Under this offer, three helicopters will initially go for two years on the Dam Lease model, after which they will also have the option to buy.
UHLH Helicopter IAF: What Does Damp Lease Model
Understand Damp Lease in easy language Helicopter Vander is taken, but the responsibility of blowing and operating it is airborne. That is, the machine comes from the outside, but its use and maintenance handles the side. This keeps training, operation and control completely near the Army.
The advantage of this model is that helicopters become available in a short time and the air force gets new capacity quickly. The same platform can also be purchased if needed later. (UHLH Helicopter IAF)
What is Helicopter?
Air Force has laid some clean technical conditions in this RFI. The most important condition is its payload capacity, which should be about 20 tons. This helicopter can carry heavy arms, vehicles or large quantities of accessories at once.
Also its cruise speed should be more than 230 kilometres per hour, so as to move faster. The maximum speed is even higher, allowing it to perform faster operation when needed.
At least 45 soldiers can sit in the helicopter, or it can be changed that it can be transported to injured soldiers with 20 stretchers. This helicopter will work not only in transport, but also in medical equipment.
Height and weathering ability
This helicopter should be able to fly into elevated areas. The operating altitude for this is fixed about 5500 m or more. The condition is specially placed by taking into account the Himalayan terrain, where oxygen is low and flight is challenging.
At the same time, the helicopter needs to be an IFR certified to fly every season. This means that it can fly safe even in bad weather or low visibility.
Equipped with HO EWS system
Helicopter The advanced electronic warfare system is also required. It will include devices such as radar warning receiver and missile approach warning system, which can detect the danger in advance. The counter should also be Major Dispensing System, to prevent enemy attack when needed.
All these systems should be connected to each other, so as to quickly identify and respond to danger. This increases the survival capacity of the helicopter. (UHLH Helicopter IAF)
Heavy weight lifting and hanging carrying capacity
This helicopter should have the ability to move weight not only inside, but also by hanging out. The condition for lifting the underslung load of up to 10 tonnes is laid. It also requires that the pilot can view and monitor this hung load both day and night.
This capacity is extremely handy in hilly areas where landings are not possible directly and the goods are lowered through a rope.
The Air Force has kept the availability of this helicopter at least 95 percent. That is, this machine was mostly ready for time operation. The capacity of 30 hours is also fixed every month. This condition is placed so that the helicopter can be used not just in papers, but in constant operation. (UHLH Helicopter IAF)
Quick delivery
The most important thing in this RFI is its delivery timeline. The vendors have to provide helicopters within 3 to 6 months after the contract is signed. This time frame is considered quite low, which is clean that this capacity to the air force should be as soon as possible.
UHLH helicopter can be used in a variety of operations. These include carrying heavy weapons and vehicle from one place to another, delivering supplies to border areas and work like disaster relief.
Also this helicopter will also be useful for extracting injured soldiers and deploying soldiers rapidly in difficult areas. Its role in mountain, desert and remote areas is considered to be Ahmed.
Existing Fleet and New Need
Indian Air Force There are already some heavy helicopters, but the need for change in both their number and capacity is being felt over time. Some old helicopters are now fulfiling their ages, while newer operations need more capacity platforms.
That’s why the demand for a helicopter with a capacity of 20 tonnes is revealed, which can carry more goods and troops at once. (UHLH Helicopter IAF)
इस पूरी प्रक्रिया को डिफेंस एक्विजिशन प्रोसीजर 2020 के तहत आगे बढ़ाया जा रहा है। इसमें भारतीय और विदेशी दोनों तरह के वेंडर्स भाग ले सकते हैं, लेकिन प्राथमिकता भारतीय लीज कैटेगरी को दी जाएगी। वायुसेना की जरूरत को देखते हुए यह कदम तेजी से क्षमता बढ़ाने के मकसद से उठाया गया है, ताकि बिना लंबी खरीद प्रक्रिया के तुरंत ऑपरेशनल जरूरत पूरी की जा सके।
RFI जारी होने के बाद अब कंपनियां अपनी प्रतिक्रिया देंगी। इसके बाद अगला चरण यानी रिक्वेस्ट फॉर प्रपोजल आएगा, जिसमें तकनीकी और फाइनेंशियल ऑफर मांगे जाएंगे। इस प्रक्रिया के जरिए तय किया जाएगा कि कौन सा हेलीकॉप्टर वायुसेना की जरूरतों के हिसाब से सबसे उपयुक्त है। (UHLH Helicopter IAF)
