Bangalore: 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. Cheetal, light utility, multi-role helicopter is a variant of the Cheetah helicopter being manufactured by HAL, which is already operational in the high altitude regions.
The helicopter will be used for personnel transport, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance and aerial survey, logistic air support, rescue operations and other operations. These helicopters will fill the deficiencies faced in light helicopter segment by both Army and Air Force.
This is the first contract for supply of Cheetal helicopters to the Indian Army. HAL had the initial order for 10 Cheetal helicopters from Indian Air Force. HAL will also provide training to the pilots and technical crew. The negotiations for the deal started in December 2010 and it was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) last year.
22/02/13 Arun Dev/Times of India
