Avro replacement: Independent panel set up to look into Airbus -Tata bid

NEW DELHI: The government has set up an independent committee to look into the various issues vis-a- vis a single-vendor

scenario for its Avro replacement programme as the Airbus-Tata consortium has emerged as the only bidder for the contract.

 Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed Lok Sabha of the development today in a written reply.

 A proposal to procure 56 transport aircraft to replace the ageing fleet of Avro aircraft through the 'Buy & Make' route was accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on July 23, 2012.

Of these, 40 aircraft are to be manufactured in India by an Indian Production Agency (IPA) from the private sector. The IPA is to be chosen by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

The RFP for the project was issued to eight foreign transport aircraft OEMs on May 8, 2013. However, only one vendor has submitted a techno-commercial bid in response to the RFP.

Source: http://goo.gl/Ov19YW