Chopper-obsessed Maya goes shopping

The lover affair between politicians and fancy helicopters continues unabated despite YSR Reddy’s tragic death in a chopper crash. Uttar Pradesh (UP) chief minister Mayawati, who can boast of the best fleet in town, has bought yet another state-of-the art chopper.
Agusta Grand, made by British-Italian firm Agusta Westland, was bought at Rs40 crore. 

Mayawati already has two Bell choppers. Barely four months ago, she had bought a Hawker 900 XP jet which can fly non-stop for more than 5,400 km. The aircraft cost the UP government approximately Rs76 crore. The Agusta Grand can fly five to six passengers and is fitted with unparalleled safety features. Sources said the chopper, which was ordered last year, will be delivered in a month.

At present, Mayawati’s fleet includes a Beechcraft Premier 1A, a Super King Air B 200, a King Air C 90 A, a Super King Air 300 LW, and a Bonanza aeroplane, and three helicopters — a Bell 230, a Chetak and a brand new Bell 412.

While Mayawati has ordered an Agusta Grand, the Union defence ministry has signed a Rs 1400-crore deal for 12 Agusta EH 101 aircraft to ferry VIPs. These choppers are also used by the US government and are often referred to as Marines aircraft.