The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to procure 24 Special Utility Helicopters to support the secure transportation of the country’s highest constitutional dignitaries, including the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister.

The acquisition proposal received clearance from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during its recent meeting in New Delhi.

According to the Defence Ministry, “The procurement of special utility helicopters will help the Indian Air Force meet the important air transport requirements.”

The project is expected to be valued at around ₹10,000 crore and is intended to replace the Mi-17-V5 helicopters currently employed for VVIP transport duties across India.

Officials indicated that the principal contenders for the contract are Airbus with its H225M/H-725 platform and a US offering associated with Lockheed Martin.

The new helicopters will be configured specifically to meet the operational and security requirements of VVIP movements, reflecting the specialised nature of the role.

The requirement has emerged as the IAF seeks a dedicated long-term replacement for the Mi-17-V5 fleet used for transporting senior national leaders on domestic missions.

The existing Mi-17-V5 helicopters were adapted for VVIP duties after the earlier VVIP helicopter procurement was cancelled following a high-profile scandal.

With the latest approval, the Ministry of Defence has taken a significant step towards modernising India’s VVIP air transport capability while enhancing safety, reliability and mission readiness.

The planned acquisition is also expected to provide advanced avionics, improved survivability systems, enhanced communication suites and greater operational flexibility when compared with the helicopters currently serving in the role.

The program underscores the government’s continuing focus on ensuring secure and dependable air mobility for India’s top leadership while maintaining the highest standards of operational effectiveness.

ANI