And in August 2011, insurgents shot down a Chinook helicopter, killing 30 American troops, mostly elite Navy SEALs, in Wardak province in central Afghanistan.

NPR: 5 US Troops Die In Helicopter Crash In Afghanistan

The company also expects the Indian government to shortly invite bids for six heavy-lift transport helicopters, for which it will pitch the Chinook helicopter, Mr. Lall said.

WSJ: Boeing Expects India to Buy Military Products Worth $31 Billion

Last summer 30 U.S. troops, including 22 Navy SEALs, were killed along with seven Afghan commandos and a civilian interpreter when their Chinook helicopter was downed by a rocket-propelled grenade.

WSJ: NATO Helicopter Crash Kills 11 in Afghanistan

Team members pause before heading to the Chinook helicopter.

NPR: U.S.-Afghan Force Raids Suspected Taliban Hideout

So said the young warrant officer with the bandana on his head as a group of visitors prepared to board his Chinook helicopter at Baghdad International Airport a little over a month ago.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Chinook down

Beyond the three SEALs on the ground, a Chinook helicopter carrying reinforcements was shot down while trying to reach the team, killing eight more SEALs and eight members of an Army special operations unit.

CNN: Medal of Honor awarded to 'antithesis of a warrior'

The Chinook is a heavyweight helicopter, capable of carrying between 33 and 55 service personnel.

BBC: Helicopters 'are no magic wand'

Each will be able to carry 60 troops and has a large flight deck, able to accommodate a helicopter the size of a Chinook.

BBC: HMS Duncan

An official at the Russian embassy in New Delhi said earlier that Russia-based MiL Moscow Helicopter Plant's Mi-26 was competing against the Chinook.

WSJ: India, Boeing in Talks for Helicopter Deals