Boeing Apache, Chinook Deals Set To Get Indian Cabinet Nod

The Indian $2.5 billion contract to procure 22 Boeing Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook Heavy-lift helicopters might be cleared before the end of June to beat a price deadline.

Boeing earlier in April this year had extended the validity of the price quoted by them for another three months after India had sought extension of the validity period on its expiry on March 31.

Boeing along with US authorities in February had warned a price hike if India does not finalize the contract soon.

The extended validity period of the price quoted is ending this month.

Defense sources said the file relating to the offset conditions for the contract was cleared by the defense ministry last week and now the deal will come up for discussion in the cabinet committee on security, the country's final decision making body for defense purchases.

The deal for the Apache is a "a hybrid one", with one contract to be signed with Boeing for the helicopter and the other with the US government for its weapons, radars and electronic warfare suites.