IAF Inducts Four Boeing Chinook CH-47F Heavy Lift Helicopters

NEW DELHI/ CHANDIGARH. The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted the first lot of four Boeing CH-47F heavy lift helicopters March 25, providing the much needed modernisation of assets at this mainstay frontline Transport airbase.

- Gulshan Luthra

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa ceremonially inducted the four machines pointing out that with their advanced high altitude and heavy lift capabilities, they would be game changers for IAF’s mountainous operations in the Himalayas. He described them as a national asset and observed that the Chinooks acquired by IAF had India-specific enhancements and were capable of night operations and landings and takeoffs in tough terrains, including in combat situations.

The Indian variant is designated as Chinook CH-47F (I), and has been given to HU 126, the same unit – like a smaller squadron – which has been operating the Soviet origin Mi-26 heavy lift helicopters with distinction since the 1980s. India had acquired four of these machines, and they did indeed serve the IAF and Indian Army achieving many, many difficult tasks and milestones. The Mi-26 is just like the An-12 transport aircraft that I flew in during the 1970s including in the Gunner’s tail seat, sans any guns of course. The Mi-26 is massive to turn easily, and Indian pilots used to take it to heights sometimes in spirals.

While the Mi-26 is much bigger than the Chinook, the Boeing machine is much more agile, has a modern glass cockpit, offensive and defensive equipment, and can be easily configured for one role or another, including medical assistance or even combat evacuation. The elephantine Mi-26 can carry a load of 20 tonnes, and has been used for wood logging. The Chinook carries 12 tonnes, but is modern and much more sophisticated in various roles.