Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered a Chetak helicopter ahead of schedule to the Indian Navy. The documents were handed over by S. Anbuvelan, general manager of helicopter division-HAL to Commodore Vikram Menon, VSM, CSO(Air), HQNA in an event held at HAL’s facilities. HAL entered into a contract with the Indian Navy in August 2017 to supply eight Chetak helicopters, with the first two helicopters to be delivered in August 2019.

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These helicopters are fitted with latest communication and navigation systems developed by HAL and the company is committed to providing continuous support to the Chetak fleet, said R. Madhavan, CMD-HAL.

Speaking on the occasion, Menon said, “It is an honor to accept the first production helicopter one month ahead of schedule. We are aware of the vital role played by Chetak helicopters in Indian Naval aviation for the past five decades. HAL and Indian Navy have shared a long fruitful relationship. We appreciate HAL’s commitment and look for continued support in future.”

GVS Bhaskar, CEO-Helicopter Complex, said, “HAL has successfully restarted the Chetak helicopter production line after incorporating latest technologies. We are committed to delivering the remaining seven helicopters as per the delivery schedule,” he added.

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HAL has been producing the Chetak Helicopters for last five decades under license from Eurocopter, France (now Airbus Helicopters) and the first Chetak helicopter to the Indian Navy was delivered way back in February 1966. These helicopters are used by the Indian Navy for communication duties (passenger transport), cargo/ material transport, casualty evacuation, search-and-rescue, aerial survey and patrolling, emergency medical services, electronic news gathering, anti-hijacking, offshore operations and under-slung operations.

HAL has so far produced more than 350 Chetak helicopters and delivered around 80 to the Indian Navy. Presently, 51 helicopters are flying with the Indian Navy and the serviceability has always remained high. HAL is supporting the Indian Navy for periodical servicing of these helicopters, clearance of spares, deputation of teams for defect rectification and any other requirement for maintainability of these helicopters.