LUCKNOW, Aug. 8 -- Uttar Pradesh is set to induct a state-of-the-art helicopter into its aviation fleet, marking the first addition since 2016. The new addition, an Agusta AW139 from Leonardo Helicopters, Italy, is expected to significantly boost the state's VIP mobility and emergency response capabilities, officials aware of the development said.

Currently, the state's fleet comprises the Hawker 900XP jet (VT-UPM), King Air B-200 (VT-UPR), King Air B-200GT (VT-UPJ) and helicopters Bell 412 EP (VT-UPK & VT-UPO) and Agusta A109S (VT-UPL), with capacities ranging from seven to nine passengers. These aircraft are capable of landing on both civilian and IAF airstrips, including key UP government airstrips, officials said.

There has been no ...