Haryana Government Acquires Rs 80-Crore Airbus Helicopter for VVIPs

Chandigarh: In a move to modernize its VVIP transportation, the Haryana government has acquired a new Airbus H145-D3 helicopter, costing approximately Rs 80 crore. The new helicopter will be used for the travel of top state leaders, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Governor Bandaru Dattatreya.

This acquisition marks the replacement of the ageing Eurocopter EC-145, which had been in service since the Congress government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda in 2008-09. The Eurocopter, which had become costly to maintain and prone to frequent technical issues, will now be grounded.

Key Features of the New Helicopter:

The Airbus H145-D3 comes with advanced features, including improved soundproofing, strobe lights, and a night-vision goggle compatible cockpit. These upgrades are expected to enhance both the safety and comfort of VVIPs during their travels. Haryana already owns a 10-seater Beechcraft King Air 250, which will continue to serve for other government transport needs.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed satisfaction with the new acquisition, stating that the previous helicopter had become “quite old.” He congratulated Haryana government officials for fulfilling the long-standing need for a new chopper. The new helicopter was formally welcomed with religious rituals in Chandigarh.

Procurement Process:
The process to acquire the new helicopter began in December 2021 during the tenure of former CM Manohar Lal Khattar. After a global bidding process, a single bid was received from Airbus Helicopters, Germany. The High-Powered Purchase Committee (HPCC) of the state government approved the purchase in 2022, with the chopper finalized and delivered in 2024.