Article Posted on : - Feb 09, 2011

Cheetah helicopter saoring high in the sky

BANGALORE (PTI): Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Wednesday handed over a Cheetah Helicopter to the Namibian Air Force at a function held at the Aero India show here.

As per the contract, HAL will also supply two Chetak helicopters to Namibia by June this year.

Managing Director (Helicopter Complex) and Director (Corporate Planning and Marketing) HAL, P Soundara Rajan handed over the helicopter to Defence Minister of Namibia, Major General (Retd) Charles Namolah.

Rajan said HAL was committed to meeting the target of supplying two Chetaks to Namibia. "We are committed to handing over the Chetaks to Namibia and the work in this regard is on in full swing," he said.

HAL and Namibia had reached the agreement in April 2009 for supply of two Chetaks and one Cheetah helicopters along with associated equipment. As per the delivery schedule, the Cheetah is ready and the second and the third helicopters (Chetaks) will be handed over to Namibian Air Force by June.

HAL will provide necessary Ground Support Equipment, Ground Handling Equipment and Initial Set of Spares for maintenance of the helicopters besides training to Namibian pilots and ground crew.