Latest news with #RequestforInformation
The Print
2 days ago
- Business
- The Print
With Cheetah & Chetak fleets ageing, Army, IAF move to fast-track purchase of 200 light helicopters
Designed for multi-role operations in both day and night conditions, the reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters will be tasked with missions ranging from reconnaissance and surveillance to transporting small troop detachments or quick reaction teams for specialised operations. The helicopter will also carry internal and underslung loads (carried beneath the aircraft, typically attached with cables or slings) in support of ground forces, conducting armed scouting in coordination with attack helicopters and carrying out casualty evacuation. According to the Request for Information (RFI) issued Friday by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), 120 helicopters are earmarked for the Army Aviation Corps and 80 for the Air Force. The MoD describes the requirement as 'urgent,' with the current fleet, based on 1960s-era French Aérospatiale designs, having flown well beyond its intended service life, often in some of the world's most challenging environments. New Delhi: The Army and the Air Force are moving to fast-track the purchase of 200 light reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters (RSH) to replace their ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleets. Notably, the RFI emphasises transfer of technology (ToT) in line with the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020. While not framed as a strict eligibility criterion, the government 'is desirous of manufacturing helicopters in India after acquiring ToT,' as stated in the document. This provision will allow foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to participate, provided they partner with an eligible Indian company through joint ventures or production arrangements and commit to sharing specified critical technologies, production know-how and support capabilities. The selected suppliers will be obligated to provide lifetime support for the helicopters, including spares, maintenance tools, and equipment for both field- and component-level repairs. A vendor interaction is scheduled for later this month, with responses due by mid-October. The current acquisition push follows earlier efforts to replace the Chetak and Cheetah fleets through the planned acquisition of 200 Kamov Ka-226T light utility helicopters from Russia, with 60 to be purchased in fly-away conditions and 140 to be assembled in India via a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian Helicopters under the Make in India program. Under this arrangement, the HAL was to meet at least half the requirement, with the remainder to be built by the Indo-Russian Helicopters Ltd (IRGL), a joint venture of HAL, Russian Helicopters, and Rosoboronexport. Signed in 2015 as the Modi government's first government-to-government defense deal, the program remained in limbo over disagreements on indigenous content (Russia offered 62 percent against India's stipulated 70 percent) and unresolved issues on technology transfer and cost. Parallel to this, the HAL also developed its own Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The platform, which received Initial Operational Clearance in 2020, has entered limited-series production (LSP) for eventual induction into both services, with 12 units—six each for the Army and the Air Force—currently on order. The three-tonne helicopter has a service ceiling of 21,325 feet, a range of 500 km on internal fuel, and a top speed of 235 km/h. With a maximum take-off weight of 3,150 kg, it seats two crew members and is equipped with a Smart Cockpit Display System (glass cockpit), a health and usage monitoring system, and provisions for both utility and armed configurations. The IAF inducted the currently operational Chetak in 1965, followed by the Cheetah in 1976. Across the three services, the combined strength of the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters is estimated to be around 400. While the earliest batches are no longer in service, most of the 186 Chetaks and over 200 Cheetahs still flying fall into the vintage category, having served for more than four decades. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Defence Secretary spells out big procurement push, overhaul of system
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
HAL shares in focus as MoD releases RFI for procurement of 200 light helicopters
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) shares are likely to remain in the spotlight after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 200 Light Helicopters, classified as Reconnaissance & Surveillance Helicopters (RSH). As per the RFI, 120 helicopters are intended for the Indian Army and 80 for the Indian Air Force. Big news for HAL 🇮🇳 MoD has released the Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 200 Light Helicopters i.e. Reconnaissance & Surveillance Helicopters (RSH) for Indian Army and Indian Air Force. 120 for Indian Army and 80 for Indian Air Force, RFI is being issued… — RedboxGlobal India (@REDBOXINDIA) August 8, 2025 The objective of the RFI is to finalise the Services Qualitative Requirements (SQRs), determine the appropriate procurement category, and shortlist probable vendors. It also opens the door for Indian companies to form joint ventures or establish production tie-ups with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). A vendor interaction is scheduled for 22 August 2025 at 10:30 hrs, while the last date for submitting responses is 18 October 2025. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) shares traded in a narrow range today, opening at ₹4,542 and touching an intraday high of ₹4,549.90, while the day's low stood at ₹4,450. The stock's previous close was ₹4,550.60. HAL has shown strong long-term growth, with its 52-week low at ₹3,046.05 and a 52-week high of ₹5,165, reflecting investor confidence in the company's prospects. Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Stock market investments are subject to market risks. Always conduct your own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. Author or Business Upturn is not liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
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Business Standard
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Football's digital frontier is shifting: How UEFA wants to lead charge?
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has ignited the engines of change, launching a sweeping evaluation of its over-the-top (OTT) platform, in what could lead to a complete technical reboot. This move signals the governing body's intent to future-proof its streaming presence, potentially replacing its current tech partner, Endeavor Streaming, and reimagining the service from the ground up. From modest beginnings to monumental ambitions which debuted in June 2019 as a free global service, has steadily offered fans a taste of European football beyond the mainstream. Powered by Endeavor's Vesper technology, the platform currently hosts over 250 live events per season, covering youth, women's, and futsal competitions. Now, UEFA is preparing to blow past those numbers, envisioning a quadrupled output of up to 1,000 live events annually. This includes not just matches, but draws, real-time data overlays, and sophisticated enforcement of global geo-rights—all wrapped in layers of DRM and anti-piracy protection. Monetisation mission: Beyond free access No longer content with an ad-supported model, UEFA is actively exploring tiered pay-per-view pricing, including per-match, competition-wide, monthly, and annual payment plans. Also on the agenda: dynamic ad insertions, branded content hubs, and strategic sponsorship integration. The goal? To elevate from free platform to revenue engine, without losing its global reach or integrity. In a strategic move, UEFA has issued a Request for Information (RFI), a precursor to a possible Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFI invites leading tech providers to reimagine the future of while making it crystal clear that nothing is set in stone. "UEFA seeks to gather insights from industry-leading suppliers… whether through enhancing the existing service or transitioning to a new technical partner," the organisation stated. Importantly, UEFA emphasised that the RFI is informational, not contractual. The outcome might be a refinement, or a full supplier switch. Endeavor's position under review Earlier this year, Endeavor Streaming led a user experience refresh, updating interface and expanding its content offerings. But even those enhancements may not be enough to secure their future role. A new agreement, should UEFA move forward with an RFP, would come into effect in April 2026. From niche to necessity: The expansion blueprint While traditionally focused on less mainstream competitions, has shown glimpses of its growing ambition. In early 2024, it streamed Nations League matches for Italian users in English, until Sky Italia swooped in with a third-party deal covering the semis, final, and qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Clock Ticking: Who will stream UEFA's Future? The deadline for RFI submissions is August 22 at noon CET. UEFA plans to issue the full RFP in mid-October, with first-round bids due by December 5. In an increasingly crowded streaming landscape, stands at a crossroads—and the world's biggest tech players may soon battle to control the screen where Europe's future football stories unfold.
Daily Maverick
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Creecy's new Rail Bill promises reform measured in six key numbers
South Africa's logistics infrastructure is under construction and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has laid out an overhaul plan with six hard numbers and a new Rail Bill. In a rare moment of relatability from the GNU member with the most 'tannie energy', Barbara Creecy said that being transport minister is the worst and best job she's had. 'The best because there's so much to contribute, the worst because there are lots of things that are wrong, and fixing them is very complicated.' 'Complicated' is generous. The logistics bottlenecks in South Africa's rail infrastructure are bleeding billions per day from the economy. But Creecy said her department is moving to tackle the mess with a soon-to-be tabled bill and what she describes as 'overwhelming appetite' from the private sector. Six numbers to shape a sector The minister's 'six numbers' sit at the centre of her department's overhaul masterplan: Ambitious targets, however, don't build tracks. What's needed is a structure to support them. Laying down the law A first-of-its-kind Rail Bill is set to be introduced later this year, according to Creecy, in an effort to move rail reform into legislation. 'This bill aims to legislate reforms intended to transform the freight and passenger rail sectors,' the Department of Transport told Daily Maverick. 'The department believes that this Rail Bill will offer legal clarity regarding future policy directions.' Creecy stressed that the underlying infrastructure will remain in state hands, managed by the Transnet Infrastructure Manager. Private sector appetite The Department of Transport issued a Request for Information (RFI) in March this year – 162 submissions were brought, along with 11,600 visits to the site, which signalled interest across major freight corridors, especially that of ports, Creecy said. 'It's going to mean that future proposals will be responsive,' she said. 'We have seen situations where proposals that have been put out by state-owned entities have not been appetising to the market.' Some companies have already approached the department with funding offers for urgent fixes, Creecy detailed. In the meantime, Transnet has launched funding requests with National Treasury's Budget Facility for Infrastructure for short-term, urgent repairs and long-term revitalisation. How does this affect you? If the transformation goes to plan: Cheaper goods if logistics costs come down Job creation through infrastructure development and manufacturing Reliable exports and better trade performance Less road congestion and more efficient freight If not: Lower tax revenue and reduced income for operational entities Shrinking global logistics share could trigger job losses Freight and port processing costs will continue to rise Higher product prices will cut consumer spending and access Can the state afford it? According to Creecy, the state needs to be investing about R15-billion to R20-billion a year to have the network functioning effectively. 'It is plausible,' said transport economist Dr Johann van Rensburg, but only if this number also takes into account maintenance and future upgrades. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research transport economist Shaun Mhlanga also believes this investment to be possible, pointing to hybrid models that blend government guarantees, private investment and multilateral funding. Mhlanga added that the recent approval of a R51-billion government guarantee and the African Development Bank's R18.8-billion loan to Transnet, show that this is feasible. Dr Alex Malapane, an independent economic analyst, says this estimate is 'fiscally unrealistic, yet politically seductive'. With debt service costs exceeding R380-billion annually, Malapane argues that relying on the public purse alone would be irresponsible. 'True reform means handing over operational control. Anything less continues the cycle of underdelivery and overpromising.' Weak bones, long returns The transformation plan stems from an unavoidable reality: the network is ancient. 'Our existing network has not been developed since the 1970s, with the exception of the Gautrain,' Creecy said, adding that the country still uses narrow-gauge tracks and outdated control systems. The return on this investment won't come quickly. Mhlanga estimates five to 15 years for most major upgrades to show results. Malapane confirmed this, but said that it's not a cause for delaying action. 'Reducing turnaround times at Durban port or unblocking key freight corridors would improve export volumes in under 36 months. The idea that infrastructure only pays off in the long term ignores the multiplier effect that high-impact upgrades can have,' he said. Van Rensburg said the payoff begins the moment new infrastructure opens. If the infrastructure is in better condition, maintenance costs drop, operational efficiency rises and user costs fall, but only if the benefits of the upgrades are not inflated, he said. Transnet's reinvention by necessity Transnet's debt structure is a major concern, according to Creecy, and is thus being restructured into a state-owned infrastructure provider. Private operators will be able to run trains on key routes, pay access fees and offer niche services, such as agricultural and tourism lines. Creecy acknowledges that although South Africa is about 20 years behind the curve, we can learn from the mistakes of other countries with more advanced systems.
Cision Canada
12-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
STATEMENT - National Coordinators advance work on Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Français
Representatives from Canada, Finland and the United States met to discuss the next steps in the collaboration to build Arctic and polar icebreakers OTTAWA, ON, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - The National Coordinators of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) and other officials from the governments of Canada, Finland and the United States (U.S.) have successfully concluded a 2-day meeting to discuss their shared commitment to strengthening Arctic presence and icebreaking capabilities through the ICE Pact. During the discussions, delegates from Canada, Finland and the U.S. successfully advanced deliverables under the ICE Pact workplan by focusing on the 4 areas of work: technical expertise and information exchange, workforce development, relations with allies and industry, and research and development. The 3 countries each presented their initial review and analysis of their Request for Information, which collected industry views and recommendations within their respective markets. This will help in engaging with interested shipyards and supply chains, and in laying the groundwork for future involvement with the private sector. The delegates also participated in a panel discussion and roundtable with Canadian industry, academia and think tank representatives, hosted by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. The event was an important forum to discuss the purpose and potential of the ICE Pact and identify opportunities for industrial collaboration. Participants shared valuable insights into the national perspectives on the ICE Pact and Arctic collaboration, promoting trilateral cooperation and strengthening stakeholder support for ICE Pact activities. The 3 partner countries concluded a successful meeting with a strong commitment to continue the ICE Pact work. They agreed to meet again in-person in fall 2025. The U.S. will host the next meeting.
