The Indian Air Force is moving ahead with a major helicopter purchase meant for the air movement of India’s top constitutional authorities. The proposal covers 24 Special Utility Helicopters, with an estimated value of about Rs 10,000 crore, and is meant to support transport for the President, Vice President and Prime Minister.
The plan cleared an early approval stage when the Defence Acquisition Council gave Acceptance of Necessity in its meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 26, 2026. This approval does not mean a contract has been signed, but it allows the procurement process to progress further.
Why the IAF wants a fresh fleet
According to the Ministry of Defence, the helicopters are intended to help the Indian Air Force meet “the important air transport requirements.” The new aircraft are meant to replace the Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 helicopters currently used for VVIP duties.
The existing arrangement dates back to the cancellation of an earlier dedicated VVIP helicopter programme after a corruption scandal. Since then, the IAF has been using modified Mi-17 V5 helicopters for this sensitive task.
Possible aircraft under consideration
Officials said the main contenders for the programme are the Airbus H-725 and a helicopter from Lockheed Martin of the United States, widely identified as the Sikorsky S-92. The specifications have been framed to meet the operational, security and comfort requirements linked to VVIP transport.
Because the number of helicopters involved is limited, the platforms are expected to be bought directly from overseas suppliers. They are also expected to come with advanced defensive systems to counter ground-based threats.
Part of a larger defence package
The helicopter proposal was cleared along with a wider set of capital acquisition proposals worth around Rs 2.12 lakh crore approved by the DAC on the same day. Around 82 per cent of the overall procurement value is expected to come from Indian industry.
For the Indian Air Force, the approved items also include air defence systems, weapons and Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems for improved localised weather surveillance in forward areas. Separate approvals for the Army and Navy cover light multi-role helicopters, self-propelled tracked gun systems, high-mobility vehicles, counter-drone systems, surveillance and strike UAVs, and naval platforms.
Background to the earlier failed programme
The last dedicated VVIP helicopter acquisition was a 2010 contract with AgustaWestland for 12 AW-101 helicopters valued at more than Rs 3,500 crore. That deal was later terminated after allegations of bribery involving middlemen and Indian officials emerged.
In the meantime, the IAF has continued to rely on modified Mi-17 V5 helicopters for transporting the country’s highest dignitaries. If the new Special Utility Helicopters are acquired, they would provide a dedicated and more modern solution for this role.
The intended induction of purpose-built helicopters is expected to give the armed forces a more reliable and secure platform for VVIP air movement across the country.
