India hands over three HAL Chetak helicopters to Suriname

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Indian ambassador to Suriname Mrs. M. Subashini, left, with Defense Minister Lamure Latour, army commmander Ronnie Benschop and other army officials, in front of one of the helicopters.

The air force since Friday has three helicopters at its disposal. The three HAL Chetak Helicopters were handed over by Indian ambassador to Suriname Mrs. M. Subashini, to Defense Minister Lamure Latour.

“A memorable moment,” said Latour as he reflected that it took seven years of negotiations to get the helicopters to Suriname and operational. He said that the aircraft will prove valuable in executing control and civil aviation support tasks.

The helicopters were ordered in 2009 with a US$13.5 million price tag; the Indian Government had provided a US$16 million line of credit, but delivery was held up by financial and administrative obstacles.

The helicopters, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL India) were manufactured, inspected and tested in India, then taken apart and shipped to Suriname. Indian technicians came to Suriname and helped put them back together. They also provided training to the pilots of the Suriname air force.

Current plans call for one Chetak to be based at Paramaribo’s Zorg en Hoop airport, Nickerie’s Majoor Henry Fernandes Airport and Albina Airstrip. Maintenance will be carried out by Indian ground support personnel, 8 of whom have been detached to Suriname.

The HAL Chetak is a license-manufactured version of the 1960s-vintage Aérospatiale SA-316 Alouette III, a durable design especially suited for hot-and-high operations.

 

[Ronin]

Good get rid of this garbage quickly

Induct some modern copters now .

 

[OrionHunter]

I thought these choppers were heading for the junk yard? They're more than half a fukin' century old! It's unfair to palm them off to third countries due to safety issues. I wonder why Surinam accepted this crap?

 

[Ind4Ever]

Nice ! We can sell our old helicopters for many small countries. It will be valuable for them ...

 

[Established_1965]

There is a country named Suriname :O

 

[RPK]

There is a country named Suriname :O

Good get rid of this garbage quickly

Induct some modern copters now .

I thought these choppers were heading for the junk yard? They're more than half a fukin' century old! It's unfair to palm them off to third countries due to safety issues. I wonder why Surinam accepted this crap?

Nice ! We can sell our old helicopters for many small countries. It will be valuable for them ...

They are Brand New manufactured at HAL

 

[sudhir007]

why not cheetal it is more speed, range and more modern then chetak

 

[GR!FF!N]

why not cheetal it is more speed, range and more modern then chetak

they asked and got what they wanted.

about those who doubt about capabilities of Chetak,these are the helos which was used and still using to replenish Siachen.also,these are not puny helos,India even used it in the role of gunships.yes,it is old horse,but doesn't mean it has lost its utilities,especially when good 25+ countries still using them,including France and India.also,these helos are a tool of diplomacy,India donated/exported it to some 4/5 countries.

why not cheetal it is more speed, range and more modern then chetak

Chetak carriers more personnel or weight.in fact it has exceeded most of the specs of Cheetal.Cheetal is not faster(192km/h compared to 210km/h),Cheetal has better service ceiling and rate of climb.

 

[The_Sidewinder]

Thats truely Chopper diplomacy. If I am not wrong, those are brand new ones.

 

[black-hawk_101]

Better to give more to them. But better to give to UN.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

3 Chetak Helicopters built by HAL's Helicopter Division handed over to Govt of Suriname recently. @MEAIndia

 

[HariPrasad]

It is old but a very reliable chopper. We have been using that in high altitude very successfully.

Good get rid of this garbage quickly

Induct some modern copters now .