New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday formally inducted first of four Chinooks CH-47F(I) into its fleet at Air Force Station Chandigarh.
Air Force Station Chandigarh will be the base for the IAF Chinooks and these heavy lift choppers will be now part of the No 126 Helicopter Flight also known as the Featherweights.
The squadron currently operates the last of four Russian Mil Mi-26s.
Monday’s ceremony saw Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa along with senior IAF and Boeing officials in attendance.
A multi-faith prayer ceremony in line with the IAF traditions preceded the induction ceremony.
Its makers Boeing said the CH-47F(I) have been delivered ahead of schedule.
India had signed a government-to-government deal with the US in September 2015 for 15 Chinooks, with an additional option of seven more platforms.
As reported by Onmanorama earlier, the induction of Chinooks will give a huge boost to IAF’s strategic airlift operations in border areas with China and Pakistan.
Chinooks are set to boost IAF missions in Ladak, Kashmir and north-east regions. These choppers will also come very handy during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.
Asset to IAF
The Chinooks will be now used for lifting heavy artillery and other supplies to remote and high-altitude areas on the border.
“The induction of the CH-47F(I) Chinooks is an asset to the IAF’s airlift capabilities,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.
“This modern, multi-mission-capable, heavy-lift transport helicopter will enhance our heli-lift capability across all types of terrain to full effect,” the IAF Chief added.
Boeing officials said the CH-47F(I) Chinook for the IAF completed successful first-flights in July 2018 and the first batch of IAF crew began their training on the Chinooks in the US in October 2018.
“The CH-47F(I) Chinook will prove to be a significant force multiplier for the IAF,” says Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India.
With its advanced capabilities and versatility, Boeing says the Chinooks will be an important asset to the IAF.
The CH-47F(I) is an advanced multi-mission helicopter for the US Army and international defence forces.
It contains a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, common aviation architecture and advanced cargo-handling capabilities that enhance the aircraft's mission performance and handling characteristics.
Currently, the Chinooks are used by the US Army, US Army Reserve, National Guard and by the armed forces of more than 19 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Japan, Italy, Greece, Spain, South Korea, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
Filling gaps
Veteran aviator Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd) had told Onmanorama last month that the arrival of Chinooks will add teeth to IAF’s operations.
“Till now, we were depending on the Mi-26s in for all our heavy-lift requirements. The numbers are very few and also the serviceability of these Russian platforms has been relatively very low,” Air Marshal Chopra (Retd) had told Onmanorama.
With Chinooks checking in, the operation efficiency will now increase by many folds aiding inner-valley transfer of equipment during peace time and in operation. Chinooks are capable of lifting maximum loads up to 10 tonnes at one go.
Wg Cdr C D Upadhyay (Retd), former Chief Test Pilot of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, told Onmanorama that the Chinooks will fill the gap of heavy-lift choppers that was lacking for a long time.
Having flown the Chetaks and the Dhruvs extensively, Wg Cdr Upadhyay (Retd) said heavy-lift helicopters like Chinooks will complement the whole scenario now.
“A combination of Dhruvs, Mi-17s and the Chinooks will now be a great asset,” he added.
