THE ROTARY-WING PUNCH
Geopolitics|October 2022
With tactical-level challenges looming in India’s neighbourhood, it is high time for the Indian armed forces to rapidly brush up rotorcraft capabilities, writes AMARTYA SINHA
THE ROTARY-WING PUNCH

The Indian armed forces operates one of the largest helicopter fleets in South Asia and the Indian military presently operate 38 Helicopter Units HUs) comprising of Russian built Mi-17, Mi-17 1V, Mi-17 V5 helicopters, which are the backbone of medium lift combat capability of IAE in addition to HAL licence-built Cheetah and Chetak helicopters and the Dhruv ALH MK-I, ALH MK-II, ALH MK-IV), along with American-made AH-64E Apaches and Boeing CH-47F Chinooks as the other workhorses. The IAF is presently short of just one HU to meet its sanctioned strength of 39. Helicopters are generally more maintenance intensive and have a Total Technical Life TTL), that ranges between 5,000 hours to 12,000 hours depending on their age and vintage.

The IAF due to budgetary constraints, ends up operating most of its platforms far beyond the lifespan envisaged by the Original Equipment Manufacturer OEM). Case in point is the obsolescent Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, that continue to fly, when they should have been retired by now. The IAF finally ended up retiring its MI-8 Pratap’ helicopters in December 2017, after inducting 107 MI-8s between 1971 1988. The MI-8 was inducted in ten operational helicopter units and it operated in several major IAF operations including Operation Meghdoot in the Siachen Glacier and Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka.

Current strength in numbers

Over the next few years, the IAF will induct three new helicopter types: 65 units of HAL Light Combat Helicopter LCH), 65 units of Kamov Ka-226T Sergei’ and 61 units of HAL Light Utility Helicopter LUH), for a total of 191 helicopters. Recently, India became the 14th nation to induct the Apache and the 19th nation to select the Chinook for its air force, for which orders were placed way back in September 2015.

This story is from the October 2022 edition of Geopolitics.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2022 edition of Geopolitics.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GEOPOLITICSView All
THE NEW WAVE OF MARINE LANDING CRAFT.
Geopolitics

THE NEW WAVE OF MARINE LANDING CRAFT.

BAE Systems' new Littoral Strike Craft combines advanced stealth, comfort, and modularity to redefine modern amphibious mission capabilities.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
PROVEN AIP FOR S80 SUBMARINES
Geopolitics

PROVEN AIP FOR S80 SUBMARINES

The BEST AIP system is capable of operating at any depth and in all operational conditions, allowing it to adapt to any Navy mission and making it the most advanced AIP system on the market.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AI SECURE, SCALABLE, AND INNOVATIVE
Geopolitics

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AI SECURE, SCALABLE, AND INNOVATIVE

Tardid leverages modular AI designs, robust cybersecurity, and adaptability to deliver secure and scalable solutions, integrating emerging technologies and refining strategies through realworld deployments, shares AASTHA VERMA, Chief Operating Officer, Tardid Technologies, with Geopolitics

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
TOT-AN IMPERATIVE FOR SUBMARINE MANUFACTURING
Geopolitics

TOT-AN IMPERATIVE FOR SUBMARINE MANUFACTURING

India's transition from offset strategies to fostering self-reliance through technology transfer (TOT) and local assembly highlights the significance of global collaborations like thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in shaping a robust, indigenised defence ecosystem, a perspective shared by KHALIL RAHMAN, CEO, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems India.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
ENHANCING INDIAN NAVAL AVIATION
Geopolitics

ENHANCING INDIAN NAVAL AVIATION

JYOTI SINGH reports how a powerful Indian naval air arm will prove to be the biggest seabased conventional level deterrence, both for the tactical and strategic battlefields

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2024
PROJECT-751-30 YEARS ON
Geopolitics

PROJECT-751-30 YEARS ON

India's ambitious Project-751, aimed at procuring six advanced submarines, remains stalled nearly three decades after its inception.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
WINGS OVER THE OCEAN
Geopolitics

WINGS OVER THE OCEAN

Indian Naval Aviation is dramatically upgrading its combat potency with its latest inductions, writes Atul Chandra

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
HOW INDIA IS RESHAPING REGIONAL DETERRENCE, MARITIME DOMINANCE
Geopolitics

HOW INDIA IS RESHAPING REGIONAL DETERRENCE, MARITIME DOMINANCE

In the theatre of modern geopolitics, control over the seas is synonymous with strategic dominance. With its vast coastline and critical position in the Indo-Pacific, India has always recognised the importance of maritime strength, outlines GIRISH LINGANNA

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
BUILDERS NAVY
Geopolitics

BUILDERS NAVY

The Indian Navy's modernisation efforts are picking up steam, with domestic shipyards running at full capacity, reports MIKE RAJKUMAR

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2024
THE NAVY'S NEED FOR SUBMARINES
Geopolitics

THE NAVY'S NEED FOR SUBMARINES

While aircraft carriers have their place, submarines provide India with a more flexible, cost-effective, and survivable option for projecting power and maintaining deterrence in a complex and evolving strategic environment, argues AMIT GUPTA

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024