Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd may ask for the participation of its 4,000-plus vendors across the country to help execute the contract to manufacture the Russian Kamov military helicopters. More Indian companies are set to join the fray and participate in the contract, estimated to cost over $1 billion.
Russia and India had agreed to jointly produce about 200 Ka-226T helicopters to replace the Cheetah and Chetak Choppers under the Centre's 'Make in India' initiative. An agreement to this effect was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow in December 2015.