Indian Air Force inducts first unit of Chinook helicopters, BS Dhanoa calls it 'national asset'

The Indian Air Force inducted the first unit of Chinook helicopters at its Chandigarh airfield on Monday. The IAF had received its first Chinook choppers on February 10 at the Mundra port in Gujarat. After the induction ceremony, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said that, “Country faces a multiple security challenges; we require vertical lift capability across a diversified terrain. Chinook has been procured with India specific enhancements; it's a national asset.” He also said that, “Chinook helicopter can carry out military operations, not only in day but during night too; another unit will be created for the East in Dinjan (Assam). Induction of Chinook will be a game changer the way Rafale is going to be in the fighter fleet.”

The Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter. It contains a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Aviation Architecture Cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities that complement the aircraft's mission performance and handling characteristics, a Boeing statement said.

 

“We look forward to delivering this phenomenal capability to India,” David Koopersmith, vice president and general manager, Boeing Vertical Lift said. “From coastal operations to high-altitude mountainous missions, these aircraft will play vital roles with the Indian armed forces.” India ultimately will receive 22 AH-64E Apache attack, and 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook transport, helicopters. “Chinook can deliver heavy payloads to high altitudes & is eminently suited for operations in the high Himalayas. It will greatly enhance India’s capabilities across a range of military & HADR missions,” the air force had said on Twitter.

Indian firm Dynamatic Technologies manufactures critical components for H-47 Chinook, one of the world's most advanced multi-mission, heavy-lift transport helicopters. India is procuring 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from Boeing. Dynamatic Technologies had delivered the first set of aft pylon and cargo ramp assemblies for the Chinook in February 2015. This first delivery was mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his inaugural address at the Aero India Exhibition in 2015, it said.

"This is a remarkable milestone in our partnership with Boeing," said Udayant Malhoutra, CEO and Managing Director of Dynamatic Technologies, adding, "We are manufacturing complex assemblies for global OEMs and have become an integral part of the worldwide supply chain, incorporating globally accepted standards of aerospace manufacturing in our facilities."

(With agency inputs)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.