Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Madhya Pradesh to receive Airbus ACH 160 helicopter in November
Madhya Pradesh is getting a brand new, very modern helicopter called the Airbus ACH 160.
It is made by a company in France called Airbus Helicopter.
The helicopter will arrive in the state in November.
The government wants to build a special landing pad, called a helipad, near the Chief Minister's house and office.
This would let the Chief Minister fly between the two places instead of driving by road.
Driving causes big traffic jams when the Chief Minister's car moves through the city.
Officials have looked for a good piece of land for the helipad for about two years, but have not found a suitable spot.
Until they do, the new helicopter will stay at the airport hangar.
Two pilots are going to France for training to learn how to fly it.
The new helicopter costs about Rs 1,200 crore.
Madhya Pradesh will receive the modern Airbus ACH 160 helicopter from France-based Airbus Helicopter in November.
The aviation department has been searching for about two years for helipad land near CM House and Mantralaya, but no suitable site has been found.
Until a helipad is built, the helicopter will be parked at the state hangar at Raja Bhoj Airport.
Pilots Adarsh Rai and Sanjay Shrivastava will leave for France on August 22 for training to fly the ACH 160.
The helicopter costs approximately Rs 1,200 crore; the state's current EC 155 B1 helicopter is 15 years old.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh government's aviation department, the Chief Minister, pilots Adarsh Rai and Sanjay Shrivastava, and Airbus Helicopter company.
- What
- Madhya Pradesh will receive an Airbus ACH 160 helicopter in November, while the search for land to build a helipad near CM House and Mantralaya continues.
- When
- The helicopter is expected in November; pilots leave for training in France on August 22.
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; pilot training will take place in France; the helicopter will be parked at Raja Bhoj Airport until a helipad is built.
- Why
- To let the Chief Minister travel between CM House and Mantralaya by helicopter and avoid traffic jams caused by CM convoy movement on the road.
- Helicopter model
- Airbus ACH 160
- Manufacturer
- Airbus Helicopter (France)
- Cost
- Approximately Rs 1,200 crore
- Expected arrival
- November
- Existing helicopter
- EC 155 B1, 15 years old
- Helipad search duration
- Around two years, no site found yet
- Pilot training departure
- August 22, to France
- Parking location for now
- State hangar at Raja Bhoj Airport