India's Army Aviation and its Modernisation

NEW DELHI. On 1st Nov 2022, the Army Aviation Corps completed 36 years of its existence, a journey during which it has experienced a mixed bag in its growth and modernisation. While the replacement of its aging and obsolete Chetak/Cheetah fleet continues to be the biggest challenge the Corps faces today, there have been some positive developments in enhancing its combat potential and organisational infrastructure.

- LT GEN BS PAWAR (RETD)

The handing over of the first Apache Helicopter fuselage by Tata Boeing Aerospace Ltd to HAL for Army Aviations requirement on 19 Jan this year and the inauguration of the largest helicopter manufacturing complex in Asia at Tumukara in Karnataka by Prime Minister Modi on 6 Feb are positive developments indeed and will give fillip to the modernisation thrust of the Corps.

POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS

Currently with three Aviation Brigades, the Army Aviation Corps boasts an inventory of approximately 380 helicopters of all types, namely the Chetak, Cheetah, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Rudra (Armed ALH) and the latest entrant last year, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). It presently operates around 150 indigenous ALHS, 76 of which are the armed Rudra with another 30 to 40 ALHs in the Utility role likely to be inducted in the coming two to three years. The Corps already is and will remain the largest operator of this class of helicopters.

These helicopters are capable of operating by day and night in the plains and in high altitude regions and are currently deployed in Eastern Ladakh.

The raising of the first Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Unit in June last year is a very significant development as the LCH capability to operate at very high altitudes far surpasses that of the Apache and the Rudra, or the armed ALH. Under the limited series production, five of these earmarked for the Army have already been inducted and many more are likely to be inducted in the coming years.

The LCH is certainly a force multiplier in high altitude operations and will greatly enhance the combat potential in Eastern Ladakh. The six Apaches approved for the Army are likely to commence induction in 2024, with the first fuselage already being delivered to HAL by Tata Boeing Aerospace Ltd (TBAL), and the induction of Apaches will no doubt further boost the combat power and capability of the Army Aviation Corps.