The Hindu : National : "Chile evaluating purchase of Dhruv"

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Sunday, May 01, 2005

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National

"Chile evaluating purchase of Dhruv"

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Chilean Defence Minister, Jaime Ravinet, on Saturday said his country was evaluating the purchase of the Advanced Light Helicopter, Dhruv, indigenously designed and developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) here.

Mr. Ravinet was speaking to presspersons after witnessing a flight of Dhruv and a demonstration of the supersonic Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas and the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT). However, he said Chile was yet to finalise a decision on the purchase.

Advanced equipment

Earlier this year, Chile's Ambassador to India had indicated that a deal would be struck during Mr. Ravinet's visit to buy four Dhruvs.

Last year, four of these twin-engine multi-role helicopters had demonstrated their prowess for a month in different terrain and weather conditions of the South American country. The helicopters were equipped with advanced cockpits and Electronic Warfare Suite and Surveillance Pods.

The helicopters had flown at high altitudes, in hot and desert conditions and carried out ship-deck landing, search and rescue operations besides long distance ferry flights up and down for over 1,800 km each way.

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