India to deliver three Dhruv helicopters to Suriname

The Indian aerospace and defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will deliver three Dhruv helicopters to Suriname national army announced the Suriname ministry of defence. The aircraft would be mainly for transportation of army personnel, but if necessary they could also be used for combat operations. The deal is worth about $15.3 million. The order will add another feather in HAL’s cap. HAL has already clinched the $51 million deal with Ecuador to supply seven of its 5.5 tonne class helicopter. According to the ministry of defence, the copters are needed for the Surinamese national army to adequately carry out its constitutional functions. "With its presence at the national borders the army is executing its preventive duty," said the ministry. Defence minister Fernald is currently in India to sign the contracts, along with his permanent secretary Dennis Kamperveen and Lt Col Jerry Slijngaard, head of the National Coordination Centre for Disaster Management (NCCR). The officials are also attending the Aero India 2009 show. Talks will also be held to advance the defence relations between Suriname and India. Fernald and his Indian counterpart Arackaparambil Kurian Antony will engage in bilateral talks. During the 80s and early 90s, the Suriname air force had a considerable number of helicopters and other aircraft, but, due to losses during the internal armed conflict in the late 80s and poor maintenance, the fleet deteriorated.