After Devendra Fadnavis survived three mishaps in Nashik, Alibaug and Nagpur in 2017, the deal to purchase a new chopper for the State Chief Minister was placed on priority. Hence, the state government is set to import a new Sikorsky S-76D helicopter from Lockheed Martin for Fadnavis. The deal will cost the state treasury ₹14.5 million.
The sale of the chopper to the Maharashtra government was announced by Lockheed Martin at the Farnborough International Airshow in England on Monday. The other two shortlisted helicopters were Augusta Westland 139 and H 145 of Airbus helicopters.
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Sikorsky was considered as the top choice amongst the three shortlisted helicopters by a technical committee, consisting of representatives from IAF, Navy, Coast Guard and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The committee made recommendations to the High Powered Committee headed by Chief Secretary. The helicopter will be delivered in 2019.
US President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II are among the high profile people who have previously used the Sikorsky S76 D model.
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