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HAL delivers Chetak helicopter to Indian Navy
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Bengaluru, July 24
State-run Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) delivered a Chetak helicopter to the Indian Navy,
with the latest communication and navigation systems, said the defence
behemoth on Wednesday.

"The documents of the chopper were handed
over to Commodore Vikram Menon by our helicopter division general
manager S. Anbuvelan at our facility," said the city-based aerospace
major in a statement here.

The Navy signed a contract with HAL in
August 2017 for 8 Chetaks to be delivered by August 2020, with the
first two by August 2019.

"The helicopters are fitted with the
systems developed indigenously. We will also provide support to the
copter fleet," said HAL Chairman R. Madhavan on the occasion.

The company, however, did not mention the cost of the naval order for supplying the 8 choppers in the statement.

"It
is an honour to receive the first helicopter one month ahead of the
delivery schedule. We are aware of the vital role Chetak plays in our
aviation," said Menon.

HAL's helicopter complex chief executive
G.V.S. Bhaskar said the company had revived the Chetak production line
after upgrading it with the latest technologies.

"We will deliver the seven helicopters by August 2020 as scheduled," he added.

The
company has been rolling out Chetaks over the last 5 decades under
licence from France-based Eurocopter or Airbus Helicopters.

The
Navy uses the multi-utility Chetaks for communication operations
spanning passenger transport), cargo/material transport, casualty
evacuation, search and rescue, aerial survey and patrolling, emergency
medical services, electronic news gathering, anti-hijacking, off-shore
operation and under-slung operation.

HAL has till date produced over 350 Chetaks and delivered 80 to the Navy.

Presently, 51 Chetaks are in operation with Navy.