Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Madhya Pradesh’s ACH160 Helicopter To Arrive In Dismantled Form
Madhya Pradesh has bought a new ACH160 helicopter for VVIP travel.
The helicopter is being purchased from a France-based company.
It is too far to fly the helicopter directly from France to India.
So, the helicopter will be taken apart and shipped to Mumbai.
Workers will put it back together in Noida.
After testing, it will fly to Bhopal.
Two state pilots are training in France to operate it.
The state still needs to find land for new helipads near important government buildings.
Madhya Pradesh’s new ACH160 helicopter will be shipped from France to Mumbai in dismantled form.
The helicopter will be assembled in Noida before being flown to Bhopal.
The Airbus helicopter, valued at Rs 200 crore, is expected to be delivered in November.
Airbus will conduct a flight test to verify that the helicopter meets safety standards.
The state is still searching for land to build helipads near CM House and Mantralaya.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh government, Airbus Helicopters, and state pilots Adarsh Rai and Sanjay Shrivastava are involved.
- What
- An ACH160 helicopter is being purchased, shipped in parts, assembled, tested, and delivered for VVIP use.
- When
- Delivery is expected in November; no year is specified.
- Where
- The helicopter will travel from France to Mumbai, be assembled in Noida, and then fly to Bhopal.
- Why
- It will replace the state’s older EC155 B1 helicopter, while its dismantled shipment is necessary because France and India are too far apart for the helicopter to fly between them.
- Helicopter
- ACH160
- Buyer
- Madhya Pradesh government
- Reported cost
- Rs 200 crore
- Shipment route
- France to Mumbai, followed by transport to Noida
- Assembly location
- Noida
- Final destination
- Bhopal
- Expected delivery
- November
- Existing helicopter
- EC155 B1, purchased in 2011