India's Ministry of Defence signed a $20 million contract to acquire 194 new Virus ultralights from Slovenian company Pipistrel on October 20. These will be used for air experience and basic training by the NCC (National Cadet Corps) which will receive 110 aircraft with another 72 allocated to units of the air force and a further 12 for the navy. The contract also includes an option to buy a further 100. First deliveries will take place in mid-2016 and continue at the rate of six or seven aircraft a month with production from the Slovenian main factory and a subsidiary plant in Italy. The Virus is an all-composite aircraft with a tricycle undercarriage and high-aspect ratio wings, giving it gliding capability. The version acquired is the SW 80 Garud which is powered by an 80hp Rotax 912 engine, fitted with an emergency parachute system and has an endurance of three hours.
展开▼
