Understanding Marine Helicopters

“Why can’t the army Chinooks operate from naval ships?”

- KP SANJEEV KUMAR

“Can air force’s new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters embark our naval ships”

As a former naval aviator and helicopter pilot, I often receive such queries. One such question came my way recently regarding the Indian-made Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). One of my readers and keen aviation followers wanted to know why the Indian Navy is not considering integrating LCH with its ships.

The helicopter’s inherent ability to operate from small, confined spaces and stage-through platforms makes them an ideal candidate for such questions. Now, attack and combat helicopters can look pretty impressive and daunting. Bristling with turreted guns, missiles, rocket pods and even air-to-air missiles, they are the aviation aficionado’s delight. So, it is only natural for enthusiasts to juxtapose them with equally majestic warships and raise such queries.

Understanding why and why not

The LCH, like other attack or combat helicopters, is designed for terrestrial application. They come into their own in the deserts, plains, forests, hills and – in the Indian context – even in the mountains. But we have host of things to resolve before they can become a sea dog.

To understand why, we must ‘update’ our ‘landlubber’ status and ‘sail with dispatch’ hundreds of miles into the sea. That’s naval turf – salt, spindrift and a largely featureless terrain. You must know what happens when the lights go out before taking any leap of faith.

Allow me to play out such a scenario. Cue the martial music please.