18-Oct-2013Source: Reuters
Swiss resident Guido Ralph Haschke was arrested on Thursday on charges of bribery in an Indian helicopter deal won by Finmeccanica unit AgustaWestland in 2010, his lawyer said. See full story... Read more
10-Oct-2013Source: Indian Express
Defence Ministry is planning to issue a show cause notice soon to Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland for cancellation of its helicopter contract in view of bribery charges against it. See full story... Read more
8-Oct-2013Source: ZNews
Jodhpur Air Force station, a front-line air base, is all set to receive a batch of five Dhruv advanced light helicopters, which will eventually replace the ageing Chetaks, a defence spokesperson said See full story... Read more
6-Oct-2013Source: HeliHub.com
In a short but telling update on the Bombay Stock Exchange website, with the understated title of “Adjournment of AGM” is the following statement Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd has informed BSE that the 15th Annual General Meeting of the members of the Company which was held on September 27, 2013 had to be adjourned due... Read more
4-Oct-2013Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland took a big new step today in their attempt to resolve the current impasse between them and the Indian military. Their new move is described in the following statement :- ‘Following the suspension of the contract to supply AW101 VVIP helicopters to India – a sanction not provided for the under contract – a... Read more
2-Oct-2013Source: Hindustan Times
The state of Maharashtra has recently appointed Airport Association of India to conduct an ‘obstacle limitation surface survey’ to check the feasibility of the project see full story... Read more
30-Sep-2013
Indian Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing in Maktanpar town near Wankaner taluka of Morbi district today due to a technical snag, officials from the force said... Read more
29-Sep-2013
Helicopter en route from Juhu aerodrome in Mumbai to Aurangabad descended due to bad weather, hit high tension cables and crashed killing all five on board – named here as pilot Capt. SS Bhaduria, co-pilot Captain Allen Martin, Capt. Anshu Matta, Engg Yatin Wakade and Technician Dean D’Souza.... Read more
25-Sep-2013
Technical issue on Presidential helicopter prevented take-off... Read more
21-Sep-2013Source: Saab
Defence and security company Saab (sto:SAABB) has received two orders from Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL), India, for serial production of an integrated electronic warfare self-protection system for installation on the Indian Army’s and Air force’s Advanced Light Helicopter. The orders have a total value of approximately SEK 216 million (USD 33 million). Saab’s Integrated Defensive... Read more
17-Sep-2013Source: Times of India
Helicopter pilots do not want it, but the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided that a helipad is required close to the secondary runway at Juhu airport. see full story... Read more
15-Aug-2013
Precautionary landing due to unforeseen weather... Read more
14-Aug-2013
Two injured in heavy landing in cemetary. Tail boom sliced by main blades, two occupants injured and to hospital... Read more
9-Aug-2013Source: Times of India
Pawan Hans is putting passengers at a serious risk by flying its helicopters to Arunachal Pradesh, Katra, Phata (Kedarnath), Amarnath, Port Blair, Koraput, Gadchiroli, Gangtok and Patna since helipads at these places are unlicensed and are not approved by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA), according to a report tabled in Parliament on Thursday.... Read more
7-Aug-2013Source: Economic Times
Bengal Aerotropolis signed an MoU with Pawan Hans to introduce helicopter services between Kolkata and Durgapur – see full story... Read more
31-Jul-2013
Congress spokesman Sukhpal Khaira said that the Punjab government purchased the Bell 429 helicopter worth Rs.38 crore recently and alleged the process was “arbitrary, malafide, illegitimate and non transparent”. see full story FIle photo... Read more
24-Jul-2013
Accident situation unknown. Helicopter operating on Disaster Relief Operations with Uttarakhand Government. Operator reported it was en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi at about 1530 hrs. Later update said it was weather related. Fatalities named here as Pilot J. S. Dhaliwal and technician Abhay Ranjan... Read more
1-Jul-2013Source: Zeenews
The Indian government has approved the proposal to allow state-owned helicopter company Pawan Hans Helicopters to continue its subsidised services in Lakshadweep islands for five years. see full story... Read more
28-Jun-2013
Pawan Hans helicopter, which was on a rescue mission in Uttarakhand, made a hard landing at Harsil. Although the helicopter remained on its wheels, photos show the tail separated just ahead of the horizontal stabilizer. The aircraft remained on site until the Indian AF airlifted it out on 4th September (see here and here)... Read more
25-Jun-2013
Crashed in poor weather. Vice Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority said eight bodies have been recovered and chances of any survivor among the 19 onboard were remote... Read more
21-Jun-2013
While landing at make shift helipad, one main rotor blade hit the cliff. The helicopter turned 90° and tail also hit the cliff. Helicopter sustained substantial damage.... Read more
18-Jun-2013Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce an order for two AW119Ke single engine helicopters by Kestrel Aviation, a privately owned helicopter operator based in Mumbai, India. The AW119Ke helicopters, both in VIP configuration, will be delivered to Kestrel Aviation during the last quarter of 2013 and will join two others of the same... Read more
17-Jun-2013Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the delivery of a second GrandNew light twin helicopter to the Nirma Group of India. The GrandNew, with a full VIP cabin interior fit, provides passengers with an outstanding level of comfort. Nirma Group will also benefit from a three-year contract with OSS Air. OSS Air are... Read more
16-Jun-2013
Helicopter washed away (along with helipad it was chained to!) sue to severe flooding of the Alaknanda River after monsoon rain. Recent press reports show 100s of lives lost in the region due to ths rain... Read more
15-Jun-2013
CBI sources said the preliminary inquiry has been registered on the request of the Defence Ministry after it emerged that a Brigadier-level officer allegedly promised to help AgustaWestland swing the 197-helicopter deal. see full story... Read more
7-Jun-2013Source: IndiaToday
An AgustaWestland helicopter bought by the Rajasthan government during the tenure of the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP in 2005 has apparently come under the Defence Ministry’s scanner. (See Full Story)... Read more
5-Jun-2013Source: The Hindu
Even as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting a probe into allegations of financial irregularities and payoffs in the Rs. 3600 crore VVIP chopper deal with AgustaWestland, the Anglo-Italian firm has knocked on the doors of the the Finance Ministry for release of nearly Rs 2,400 crore (approx $430M) which has been put... Read more
31-May-2013Source: Vancouver Desi
The anti-Maoist operations in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh are set to be augmented with the air force putting in place a squadron of its latest Mi-17 V-5 helicopters in Nagpur for the assistance of security forces. (See Full Story)... Read more
31-May-2013Source: HAL
Keeping in line with the national policy of acquiring indigenous capabilities and self reliance HAL took initiative to organise a one-day seminar on “Future trends on Helicopter technologies” here today. Speaking on the occasion renowned aerospace scientist Prof Roddam Narasimha called for pragmatic policies to meet the strategic vision in the helicopter manufacturing and technology.... Read more
30-May-2013Source: PTI News
Pawan Hans Helicopter Services will launch operations between Kanpur and Lucknow from June 1. (See Full Story)... Read more
29-May-2013Source: The Sunday Guardian
The French helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter has complained to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) about the delay in the commencement of the price negotiation process in the 197-helicopter deal for the Indian Army. (See Full Story)... Read more
20-May-2013Source: StandardAero
StandardAero has appointed Keow Keong (“KK”) Low as the new Asia Regional Sales Manager for StandardAero’s Helicopter Programs. Low will be responsible for providing marketing and service support on the Rolls-Royce M250 and the Rolls-Royce RR300 product lines for operators in the Asia-Pacific region. His territory will span from Russia & India to Japan and... Read more
16-May-2013Source: Reuters
Finmeccanica(SIFI.MI) is not expecting India to blacklist either the group or its helicopter unit AgustaWestland for the time being as a consequence of a corruption probe, Chief Financial Officer Gian Piero Cutillo said on Wednesday. (See Full Story)... Read more
13-May-2013
1 serious, 1 minor injury to the 2 POB. Damage level to helicopter not known... Read more
6-May-2013Source: The Times Of India
State-run helicopter operator Pawan Hans is planning to enter the commercial airline business offering regional connectivity and has already received a go-ahead from its board, a top official has said.(See Full Story)... Read more
1-May-2013Source: Times of India
Helicopter company Pawan Hans May soon be providing Helicopter Services to two IIT campuses (see full story)... Read more
29-Apr-2013Source: Uniflight
Uniflight, LLC (Grand Prairie, Texas) is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Sahil Aerospace to provide sales representation in India and select Middle Eastern/GCC Region accounts. Joe Hawke, Chairman and CEO of Uniflight said, “We have been exploring multiple opportunities to expand our presence in international and developing markets. We are very... Read more
22-Apr-2013Source: Times of India
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has floated yet another controversial proposal (see full story)... Read more
22-Apr-2013Source: Daily Mail India
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)... Read more
15-Apr-2013Source: Hindustan Times
A battle-ready BSF ‘Dhruv’ helicopter, deployed for undertaking sorties to aid anti-Naxal operations, is lying idle for close to six months in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur as authorities are not able to find a pilot to fly the machine (see full story). File photo... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: Indian Express
Notwithstanding the prospect of being blacklisted over the VVIP helicopter contract, AgustaWestland has submitted its bid for two military tenders to supply helicopters to the Navy and the Coast Guard (see full story)... Read more
10-Apr-2013Source: Mumbai Mirror
In a first, a night landing facility will be installed at a prominent helipad in the city to ensure 24×7 services for politicians and bureaucrats, who use choppers on a regular basis (see full story).... Read more
3-Apr-2013Source: Business Standard
AgustaWestland, which is surrounded by controversies over the VVIP chopper deal, is appointing a former British Government employee Jackie Callicut as its India head, a post which was vacant for over a year (see full story)... Read more
3-Apr-2013Source: NDTV
The government today deferred a decision on a deal to buy 197 light-utility helicopters pending completion of an investigation into kickback allegations (see full story).... Read more
25-Mar-2013Source: The Pioneer
AgustaWestland has handed over its contract with alleged middleman Christian Michel regarding the VVIP helicopter deal to the Defence Ministry and maintained that it had not committed any wrongdoing (see full story).... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: Business Standard
Pawan Hans Ltd (PHL) on Monday entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with West Bengal government to provide helicopter services in the state (see full story).... Read more
18-Mar-2013Source: Reuters
Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony is leaning toward barring Anglo-Italian helicopter firm AgustaWestland from doing business in the country because of a corruption scandal, but he could be outvoted by cabinet colleagues, several government sources said. Some cabinet ministers and even officials within the defense ministry fear such a move could set back India’s efforts... Read more
15-Mar-2013Source: CBI, India
The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case U/s 120-B r/w 420 IPC and Section 7, 8, 9, 12 & 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 against the then Chief of Air Staff; four private persons; a Chandigarh-based private company & its then CEO; a aw101-india1 -based private company, its... Read more
11-Mar-2013Source: HeliHub.com
March 2013 has not started off well from the point of view of accident statistics, with seven fatal accidents in the first nine days. HeliHub.com carries extensive coverage of helicopter safety data and has included the following in recent reports 09-Mar-13 ZK-IHU Robinson R66 Oamaru Valley, New Zealand (1F) 07-Mar-13 Eurocopter/IAR SA330L Bacau, Romania (2F) 05-Mar-13... Read more
8-Mar-2013Source: The Hindu
The Defence Ministry has asked AgustaWestland to explain within one week its linkages with software companies allegedly used as a cover for paying kickbacks in the VVIP AW101 deal. (see full story)... Read more
5-Mar-2013
Crashed off the Vishakhapatnam harbour Two crew members were immediately rescued while two others were missing and a search was underway for them.... Read more
25-Feb-2013Source: HAL
HAL has signed contract worth Rs. 418 crore with the Ministry of Defence for supply of 20 Cheetal helicopters and associated equipments to the Indian Army over the next four years. HAL will also provide training to the pilots and technical crew. This is the first contract for supply of Cheetal helicopters to the Indian... Read more
18-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
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. ... Read more
18-Feb-2013
“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... Read more
18-Feb-2013Source: Tata
Indian Rotorcraft (IRL), the proposed joint venture with AgustaWestland is for assembling AW119Ke helicopters. The assembly activity is slated to start in April 2014. The facility is being established in Hyderabad for assembling only AW119Ke helicopters. IRL will export the assembled helicopters to AgustaWestland for it to sell to its customers. IRL business remit does... Read more
18-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Indian company Dynamatic Technologies Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Model Purchase Contract with Boeing for the manufacture of Aft Pylon and Cargo Ramp Assemblies for Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook Helicopter. The potential work is slated to commence by the end of 2014. This follows a contract which they signed with Bell for... Read more
15-Feb-2013Source: Eurocopter
Marking a key milestone in India’s development of modern heliborne resources to support lifesaving missions, AVIATORS Pvt Ltd signed today, in the presence of French President François Hollande, a firm order for an initial batch of seven Eurocopter EC135 aircraft for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations. A second order is expected to be carried... Read more
14-Feb-2013Source: DD India
A day after ordering the CBI probe, Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters that strong action will be taken against those found guilty. “Nobody will be spared whatever may be the consequences,” he told reporters on the alleged Italian chopper scam. (see full story) So far three of the twelve VVIP AW101s ordered have... Read more
14-Feb-2013
The middleman, Guido Haschke, has also said that he received 20 million euros as commission and of this, 12 million euros were passed on to S P Tyagi’s Delhi-based businessmen cousins Julie Tyagi, Docsa Tyagi and Sandeep Tyagi. (see full story)... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Finmeccanica have issued a short statement confirming that Italian Police have arrested former AgustaWestland CEO Guiseppi Orsi, and his successor (and current CEO) Bruno Spagnolini. Orsi is now Chairman and CEO of parent company Finmeccanica. “With reference to the precautionary measures issued today towards the Chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica and the CEO of the... Read more
11-Feb-2013Source: Eurocopter
A record nine units of Eurocopter’s EC135 was sold in 2012, making it the most soughtafter light twin-engine helicopter in India. The growing popularity of the EC135 in India was further demonstrated by a new order from one Indian customer and the delivery of an EC135 to another, at the Aero India 2013 exhibition. Eurocopter... Read more
11-Feb-2013Source: Eurocopter
Paced by the sales of light helicopters in 2012, Eurocopter India continued its leadership role in the Indian market last year – capturing a 70 percent share of the new civilian helicopter bookings and 43 percent of registered deliveries in this key geographical region. Eurocopter India recorded an impressive 2012 bookings of 12 helicopters, driven... Read more
5-Feb-2013Source: Eurocopter
The capabilities of Eurocopter’s expanded helicopter product line in meeting a full range of India military, governmental and civilian missions will be at the forefront during this month’s Aero India 2013 exhibition, to be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, near Bangalore. A cornerstone of Eurocopter’s static display is the AS565 MBe Panther naval helicopter,... Read more
4-Feb-2013Source: Russian Helicopters
Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, will exhibit some of its latest models at Aero India 2013, taking place from February 6-10 2013 in Bangalore. The company can be found in Hall A at stand 3.3. The company plans to showcase new light and... Read more
28-Jan-2013Source: HAL
HAL’s strength in design, development and production will be showcased through its products during the up-coming Aero-India 2013. The major attractions of the HAL’s pavilion include in-house designs such as Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), “Rudra” the weaponised Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) and Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT). “For the first time, we will present to the... Read more
25-Jan-2013Source: Telephonics
Telephonics Corporation (Telephonics), a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), today announced a second contract from the Russian manufacturer of the world-renowned Mi-8/17 family of helicopters, Kazan Helicopters, part of the Russian Helicopters company. Telephonics will supply eighty-five (85) RDR-1600 weather avoidance search and rescue radars to Kazan for installation on the Mi-17V-5 helicopters... Read more
18-Jan-2013
Force landing after being shot at by militants – photos here. The hydraulic system and genrators were damaged. 1 of the 7 POB was injured... Read more
8-Jan-2013Source: Zee News
Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne inducting an armed Mi-17V5 helicopter squadron at Phalodi air base in Rajasthan on Monday (see full story)... Read more
8-Jan-2013Source: Mumbai Mirror
The Director General of Civil Aviation has instituted an inquiry into a night flight undertaken by a Pawan Hans helicopter on December 27 last year to Bhopal and Indore from Delhi despite the pilot-in-command not being qualified to fly after sunset. (see full story). File photo... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Jagran Post
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday launched Pawan Hans chopper services for the tribal areas in the state. (see full story)... Read more
7-Jan-2013Source: Army Technology
HAL is set to release the weaponized version of ALH at Aero India 2013, to be held in the second week of February in Bangalore. (see full story)... Read more
4-Jan-2013
While carrying out taxi after the main rotor blade change, main rotor blades hit the tail boom damaging main and tail rotor blades including tail boom.... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: Russian Helicopters
During the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Russian Technologies State Corporation, and Elcom Systems Private Limited, part of the Indian investment conglomerate SUN Group, signed in New Delhi an agreement to set up in India a modern industrial facility for manufacturing of Russian helicopter... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: Russian Helicopters
Rosoboronexport and the Indian Ministry of Defence have signed an agreement on the delivery another consignment of Russia-made military transport Mi-17V-5 helicopters by 2015. The agreement was signed during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India on December 24, 2012. The new consignment of Mi-17V-5 helicopters falls under a contract signed by the... Read more
30-Dec-2012
Damaged in emergency landing near Vaishno Devi shrine – remaining mostly undamaged and relatively upright into the trees/shrubs into which it fell. Minor injuries to 7 POB, named as pilot A S Parmar and passengers Anita Puri, Meenakshi, Arun Kumar, Arti Devi, Raj Rani and Chetan Kumar. Sources vary, but most report a technical issue... Read more