Ecuador grounds fleet of Dhruv choppers after mishaps, cancels contract with HAL

Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters. DH file photo

In a major setback for India, Ecuador has grounded all the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters after four of the seven choppers crashed. 

It has unilaterally ended the contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, reports NDTV.

While addressing the media, Ecuadorian Defence Minister stated that the helicopters had crashed because of some mechanical problems.

Senior officials of HAL told NDTV that they haven't received any cancellation orders yet.

Ecuadorian Air Force had bought seven Dhruv helicopters from state-run HAL in 2009 under a deal costing nearly USD 45 million.