The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to induct four Boeing Chinook heavy-lift helicopters (HLH) on March 25. The aircraft were delivered to the country one month ahead of the schedule in early February.
The helicopters will join the IAF base at Chandigarh city in the north-western part of India, that caters to the high altitude operations of the armed forces.
At Chandigarh, the helicopters will become a part of the No 126 Helicopter flight squadron (Featherweights), which currently operates the last four of Russian Mi-26 heavy lift helicopters.
The heavy-lift helicopters will add to the Indian Army’s battle capabilities as they can transport troops and the newly inducted M777 Howitzer guns to higher reaches in combat locations.
The CH-47 Chinook is an American helicopter manufactured by Boeing and India inked a $3 billion (around Rs 20,600 crore at today’s exchange rate) deal in 2015.
