Bell Expects Re-Bid of Indian Light Utility Contract

Bell Helicopter executives are confident India will re-tender its competition to supply 197 military light utility helicopters. That nation picked Eurocopter's AS550C3 Fennec in February for the $800-million contract over Bell's 407. But Bell protested that selection and U.S. diplomats took up its argument. The new service Agence France-Presse reports India's policy-making Defence Acquisition Committee is expected to issue a fresh tender in the next financial year. For related news