The Andaman and Nicobar administration is examining the possibility of introducing Sikorsky helicopters as part of a broader review of the ageing helicopter fleet currently operated by Pawan Hans for inter-island connectivity in the archipelago, officials in the administration said.
Officials said the idea of modernising helicopter services in the islands had been under discussion for some time. However, the urgency around the issue has increased following the recent helicopter mishap in the islands that claimed one life.
Helicopter connectivity remains a critical lifeline in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where scattered settlements across remote islands depend heavily on aerial transport for medical evacuations, official travel and passenger movement. With hundreds of islands spread across a vast maritime geography, helicopters are often the fastest and sometimes the only means of reaching remote settlements, particularly during medical emergencies.
The services are currently operated by Pawan Hans, the government-owned helicopter services provider, which runs scheduled helicopter routes linking Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) with locations such as Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Hut Bay and other parts of the islands.
The recent accident involved a Pawan Hans Dauphin N3 helicopter bearing registration VT-PHY. According to a statement issued by Pawan Hans, the aircraft had taken off from Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) at around 8.30 am for Rangat and onward to Maya Bunder. The helicopter landed at Rangat at about 9.05 am and departed again around 9.10 am for Maya Bunder.
Officials said Sikorsky helicopters are among the platforms being examined as part of the broader evaluation of helicopter services in the islands. However, the modalities of any possible induction, including timelines, procurement structure or specific models, have not yet been finalised.
“Several options are being looked at as part of the review of helicopter services in the islands. Sikorsky helicopters are among the platforms being evaluated, but no final decision has been taken yet,” a senior official familiar with the discussions said.
Pawan Hans operates a diverse fleet of more than 40 helicopters across India. Its primary workhorse is the Airbus Dauphin AS365N and AS365N3 helicopters, which are widely used for offshore oil and gas operations, VIP transport and regional connectivity missions. These helicopters also form the backbone of inter-island helicopter services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The fleet also includes Bell 206L4 and Bell 407 helicopters used for tourism and charter services in several parts of the country. In addition, the company operates Mil Mi-172 helicopters for passenger transport and government utility roles.
The indigenously developed HAL Dhruv helicopter is also part of the fleet and is deployed for specialised missions, including operations for the Border Security Force and other government agencies.
Maritime aviation needs
Officials said helicopters designed for offshore and maritime environments are particularly relevant for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where aircraft frequently operate over long stretches of open sea and face rapidly changing weather conditions.
The Sikorsky S-92, for instance, is a twin-engine helicopter that is widely used globally for offshore transport, search and rescue missions and VIP movement. Aviation experts say aircraft of this class are designed for high-reliability operations in demanding environments, including maritime sectors and long-duration flights over water.
Other Sikorsky platforms include the UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter, used by several countries for troop transport, disaster response and medical evacuation missions. The naval SH-60 Seahawk is used by maritime forces for search-and-rescue operations and anti-submarine warfare roles.
Officials said the evaluation of helicopter options is still at an early stage and any eventual decision would depend on operational requirements, safety considerations and financial viability.
For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, helicopter services play a role far beyond passenger transport. They are frequently used for emergency medical evacuations from remote islands, rapid response during cyclones and storms, and transportation of officials, doctors and essential supplies to areas where sea connectivity may be slow or disrupted.
Officials said the review of helicopter services is part of a broader effort by the administration to strengthen internal connectivity across the islands. Reliable aviation infrastructure is considered critical for governance, disaster preparedness and economic activity in the archipelago, particularly as the islands continue to see growth in tourism and infrastructure development.
With the Andaman and Nicobar Islands gaining increasing strategic and economic importance, officials said improving air connectivity between the islands remains a priority for the administration. Any move to modernise the helicopter fleet, they added, would ultimately aim to ensure safer and more reliable transport for residents across the archipelago.
