State gets new Rs 61-crore wings

Sikorsky-S Range helicopter to replace 10-year-old Dolphin chopper for VVIP transport

State gets new Rs 61-crore wings

Sikorsky-S Range helicopter to replace 10-year-old Dolphin chopper for VVIP transport

The state government last week struck a deal with a US-based company for procuring a Rs 61-crore aircraft for VVIP transport as its 10-year-old Dolphin helicopter is set to go for retro fitment.

The helicopter will be assembled at Pennsylvania after modifications are made to the chopper and will be ready for flight by November. (Right) The plush interiors of the chopper ensuring comfort to the VVIPS

Taking flight: The helicopter will be assembled at Pennsylvania after modifications are made to the chopper and will be ready for flight by November. (Right) The plush interiors of the chopper ensuring comfort to the VVIPS

The decision to buy a S-76C++ helicopter from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp ('State officials to get new wings', February 28) was taken as the existing Dolphin helicopter needed to be improvised.

On top of that retro fitment would cost the exchequer anything between Rs 15 and 20 crore.

Ink the deal

So, the state decided to go ahead with the deal and purchase the Sikorsky-S range helicopter with the VVIP configuration, which could be used by dignitaries such as the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the Governor, besides other senior government functionaries in the state.

State Civil Aviation secretary Nandkumar Jantre confirmed that the state was buying a new helicopter with VVIP configuration.

"The government had published the tender on June 15, 2010 , and after following rigorous administrative, financial and other parameters before opening the financial bids and out of two companies that we shortlisted Sikorsky Aircraft Corp was the cheapest. They are providing us with advance luxury helicopter and hence we finalised it ."

Air Vice Marshal (retired) Arvind Walia, Sikorsky Managing Director for South Asia, said, "This aircraft is recognised the world over for its safety, performance, efficiency and comfort.

The fuel tank is not beneath the passengers' seat, it is kept away from there, special barrier filters are put for the engine, which protects it from all sort of climatic changes. We thank the government and look forward to delivering this highly capable, fully configured aircraft by the end of the year."u00a0
u00a0
Customised craft

He added, "At present the government has placed order for one helicopter, which will be assembled at Pennsylvania in the US and it would be ready for delivery by June 2011.

The interior work, as per the requirement of government officials, would take another two to three months more and the helicopter would finally be ready to fly by October-November."

Walia added, "The state government has placed order for one helicopter to start with and that they are also in dialogue with State Police department, who have shown interest in procuring one for their operational purposes."

In June 2009, Sikorsky signed a long-term contract with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, for assembly of S-92 helicopter cabins, and in November 2010 the first completed cabin was unveiled at the new Tata facility in Hyderabad.

Sikorsky and TASL also signed an agreement in November 2009 to create a joint venture that will manufacture Sikorsky aerospace components in India.
u00a0
Also, in July 2010, Sikorsky's aftermarket division, Sikorsky Aerospace Services, signed an agreement with Deccan Charters Ltd. of Bangalore for its Mumbai facility to serve as an authorised Customer Service Center to support Sikorsky S-76 helicopters.u00a0u00a0