Turkish National Police orders two VVIP S92s
Source: Sikorsky, 09-May-13
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced it has delivered the first of two VIP S-92® helicopters to the Turkish National Police (TNP) for service to the Turkish Prime Ministry, under a contract signed in 2011. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). The new helicopters will support the Head of State function currently [...]
First VVIP AW101 delivered to Turkmenistan
Source: AgustaWestland, 26-Apr-13
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the delivery of the first AW101 VVIP helicopter to Turkmenistan Airlines. The contract for two AW101 VVIP helicopters was signed at the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show. Assembly of the aircraft took place at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in South West England. AgustaWestland has also provided pilot and [...]
Mexico orders six GrandNew for Presidential flight
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Apr-13
Mexico has ordered six AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew helicopters for VVIP work in their Presidential flight. SEDENA (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional), the government agency responsible for the Army and Air Force, says the total contracted value is 776 million pesos – about $63.1M at today’s prices. The Presidential fleet is tasked with flying the President [...]
Indian Air Force may have no VVIP helicopters after 2014
Source: Daily Mail India, 22-Apr-13
After February 2014, VVIPs may not be able to fly in an Indian Air Force helicopter, as there may not be a single one left in the IAF’s elite squadron, which ferries the Prime Minister, the President, senior ministers and other top dignitaries. (See full story)
India’s AW101s – AgustaWestland has 7 days to respond
Source: HeliHub.com, 18-Feb-13
The Indian military have commenced legal proceedings which they hope will lead to the cancellation of their order for twelve VVIP AW101 helicopters. Through the formality of issuing a “show cause notice”, AgustaWestland now have to respond to the court within seven days on specific points to determine whether the contract remains valid or not. [...]
India’s AW101s – Focus on the middlemen
18-Feb-13
“Haschke [the middleman] sold AgustaWestland a story based on my relationship with (cousin) SP Tyagi. We have strained ties. He (Haschke) used my name to siphon off money. The CBI probe will bring out the truth. I welcome the CBI probe,” said the former Indian Air Force chief. (see full story) A new angle has [...]
Finmeccanica boss has no intention to step down, says lawyer
18-Oct-12
Finmeccanica Chairman and CEO Giuseppe Orsi has no intention of resigning, his lawyer said on Monday after media reports at the weekend over allegations concerning the Indian AgustaWestland VIP AW101 contract (see full story)
Sikorsky awarded $22M contract to rework two VH-60Ns
Source: US DoD, 18-Oct-12
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $22,055,922 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) to exercise an option for special progressive aircraft rework of two fiscal 2013 VH-60N aircraft. In addition this modification includes the associated vendor repairable and component overhaul for the VH-60N and the VH-3D aircrafts. Funds will [...]
Columbian Air Force replaces VVIP Bell 412
Source: HeliHub.com, 10-Oct-12
The Columbian Air Force has very recently taken delivery of a new Bell 412EP, with the aircraft being noted at various points on its ferry flight from Texas, including San Jose Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica on Sunday 7th October. The aircraft is a replacement for an earlier 412 which was damaged beyond [...]
Northrop Grumman and AgustaWestland team for USAF CSAR and US Navy “Marine One” Programs
Source: Northrop Grumman, 18-Sep-12
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company (FNC IM, SIFI.MI) announced today that they have signed a comprehensive teaming agreement to respond to anticipated requests for both the new Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter and the Navy’s recently announced program to develop a new “Marine One” Presidential Helicopter. A US built helicopter based [...]
Kiev presidential helipad has legal challenge
Source: Ukrainian Journal, 01-Jun-12
Kiev City Council aims to check the legality of the construction of a helipad for the Ukrainian president and the compliance of the facility under construction with its design documentation (see full story)
India – Jharkhand to buy helicopter, rather than charter
Source: Times of India, 31-May-12
Funds will not be a constraint to buy a new helicopter. “The department has to make budgetary provision for it. I don’t think that fund will be a constraint,” state finance secretary Sukhdev Singh said. (See full story) The accident referred to in the story can be viewed in more detail at 09-May-12 VT-VKS Agusta [...]
Jharkhand Chief Minister out of danger after A109C accident
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-May-12
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches, [...]
India helicopter deal: Italy probes Euro 51M ‘payoff’
Source: Indian Express, 24-Apr-12
Italy probes 51 m Euro ‘payoff’ to agent Guido Haschke for VVIP AW101 deal with India – the 62-year-old consultant is believed to have dual citizenship of Switzerland and the US (see full story)
Sikorsky point finger at AgustaWestland over Indian VVIP order, says press
15-Apr-12
The Indian press continue to have AgustaWestland in their firing line over the order for twelve VVIP helicopters which they won with the VVIP. Now the Express quotes an un-named Sikorsky official saying “There’s enough conclusive evidence. Let the law take its own course. The ministry has ordered a probe and the law of the [...]
Japan acquires a Eurocopter EC225 for passenger transportation
Source: Eurocopter Japan, 15-Mar-12
Eurocopter Japan, a subsidiary of Eurocopter Group, will supply one EC225 to the Japan Ministry of Defense, to be operated by the Japanese ground self defense force for passenger transport. It is a replacement for the same helicopter model which was submerged during the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March last year. The [...]
US Presidential helicopter acquisition delayed further
Source: GAO, 06-Mar-12
The formal start of the VXX presidential helicopter program has been delayed, as finding an acceptable solution has proved elusive. Last year, we reported that the VXX effort was in the earliest stages of development–still developing a business case to launch product development. At that time, an AOA—required for a Milestone A decision initiating the [...]
Indian defence minister orders enquiry into AgustaWestland corruption allegations
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Feb-12
The Indian Defence Minister, A K Antony, is reported in local newspaper The Times of India as having asked his ministry officials to investigate Italian media reports alleging corrupt and unethical practices by Finmeccanica, in the light of deliveries of their 12 VVIP AW101s due to start later this autumn. Separately, the Indian Express reports [...]
Polish Air Force disbands 36SPLT VIP unit
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-Jan-12
In a ceremony on Tuesday at Warsaw’s Okecie Airport, the Polish Air Force VIP squadron 36SPLT (Specjalnego PuÅ‚ku Lotnictwa Transportowego = Special Air Transport Regiment) was disbanded. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Defence Czeslaw Mroczek, Chief of General Staff of the Polish Army General Mieczyslaw Cieniuch, Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. pil. [...]
Algeria to sell VVIP Eurocopter EC225s
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Nov-11
The Republic of Algeria is selling its pair of VVIP Eurocopter EC225LP helicopters. Sales company Helipartner is marketing the pair on their website. Built in 2003 and 2004, the two helicopters have flown less than 1,200 hours between them, so they average just 80 hours a year each. The two aircraft are listed with their [...]
Navy museum unveils Nixon’s ‘Marine One’
Source: Pensacola News-Journal, 23-Sep-11
Visitors now have plenty of reason to flash some peace signs for a photo op at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The “Marine One” helicopter that once transported Presidents Nixon and Ford made its formal debut at the Hangar Bay One at the museum Thursday morning. The interior of the aircraft is open for viewing [...]
VIP upgrades for four V-22s
Source: Marine Corps Times, 29-Aug-11
Marines unit HMX-1 is set to receive four VIP kits that will effectively turn the V-22s into executive aircraft suitable for diplomats and dignitaries, presidential staff and other very important people. The Marine Corps is accepting proposals through August from companies to build and deliver the new kits. (See full story)
Taiwan donates Bell 427 to President of Paraguay
Source: HeliHub.com, 11-Jul-11
In a recent ceremony, the Taiwanese ambassador to Paraguay Lien-sheng Huang handed over the keys of a Bell 427 to President Fernando Lugo as a gift from the far eastern country. The President is seen on the right in the photo. The particular aircraft, carrying US registration N367ND was the 11th 427 off the line. [...]
UAE puts in request for five VIP UH-60Ms
Source: DSCA, 28-Jun-11
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Thursday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of five UH-60M BLACKHAWK VIP helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $217 million. The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible [...]
Sikorsky awarded $7M contract for VH-60N rework
Source: US DoD, 27-Jun-11
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $7,127,008 firm-fixed-price delivery order on a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) for the VH-60N Executive Helicopter special progressive aircraft rework induction, including vendor repairables and component overhaul. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., and is expected to be completed in May 2012. Contract funds in [...]
India to receive first six VIP AW101s in 2012
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-Jun-11
India will receive next year the first batch of the 12 helicopters for transportation of VIPs. Half the fleet is expected by the end of 2012 as the assembly of the first two helicopters has commenced at the manufacturer’s facilities in Europe. “We have started assembling the first two helicopters and will be soon moving [...]
Indian Air Force embarassment as two VVIP Mi-17s “go tech”
06-May-11
Two Mi-17 helicopters deployed to ferry defence minister A K Antony and his high-level entourage to forward areas in Rajasthan developed technical snags, one after the other, on Monday.
Sikorsky awarded $7M more for VH-60N update program
Source: US DoD, 12-Apr-11
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $7,073,193 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) to exercise an option for the fiscal 2011 VH-60N executive helicopter special progressive aircraft rework, including vendor repairables and component overhaul. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., and is expected to be completed in February [...]
Two AgustaWestland helicopters for Russian presidential flight
Source: HeliHub.com, 04-Feb-11
The aviation arm of the Kremlin has signified its intent to procure two Airbus A319 airliners and two AgustaWestland helicopters this year. While the exact helicopter type is not mentioned, the tender documents stated a need to have them delivered in October 2011, with the jets following in December. The presidential flight is also looking [...]
Sikorsky awarded $11M contract for work on one VVIP UH-60M for Jordan
Source: US DoD, 24-Nov-10
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Nov. 19 an $11,796,358 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for the P00253 exercises an option for one UH-60M aircraft for Jordan Foreign Military Sales Case JO-B-WAT, as well as four engineering change proposals and provides the contractor consideration for the conversion of specific government furnished equipment items [...]
Indian Air Force Signs €560 Million Contract For 12 AW101
Source: AgustaWestland, 11-Mar-10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that a contract has been signed by the Government of India for the acquisition of twelve AW101 helicopters that will perform government transport duties. The contract, valued at around € 560 million, includes an extensive five year logistic support service and initial aircrew and technician training. Over 180 [...]
Uttar Pradesh State Government’s AW109S Grand Enters Service
Source: AgustaWestland, 04-Mar-10
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Uttar Pradesh State Government (India) has started operating its Grand light twin turbine engine helicopter. Configured with a six seat cabin the aircraft will be used for VIP transport purposes in the region. The delivery of the Uttar Pradesh State Government’s Grand further expands the [...]
India to get 12 VVIP AgustaWestland AW101s in four years
Source: Brahmand, 17-Feb-10
AgustaWestland said it would be able to deliver the 12 VVIP choppers to the Indian Air Force within four years of signing the contract.
Sikorsky Delivers New VIP S-76C++ to UK Royal Household
Source: Sikorsky, 04-Nov-09
Sikorsky has provided helicopters to support the Royal Family since the early 1950′s, including the R4, S-51, S-55, S-58, S-58T, S-76B and the S-76C+ helicopters. The new S76C++ helicopter entered service in September.
Eurocopter South East Asia signs a contract with Royal Thai Police for 3 EC155s
Source: Eurocopter, 08-Sep-09
Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer is pleased to announce the contract signature of 3 EC155 Dauphin helicopters with the Royal Thai Police (RTP) at Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong. These 3 new medium weight twin-engine helicopters will be delivered in 2011 and will be dedicated to VVIP missions.
