Indian Air Force inducts Chinook heavy-lift choppers today

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa will induct four CH47 Chinook heavy-lift choppers into the Indian Air Force in Chandigarh on Monday. India has paid close to $ 1.5 billion for 15 of these helicopters which would be also used for deploying troops and machinery at high altitude locations.

A multi-mission heavy-left transport helicopter, Chinook will be used to move troops, artillery, ammunition, barrier materials, supplies and equipment on the battlefield.

It is highly maneuverable, which makes it suitable for operating in tough, dense terrain. Each time, all-weather operational capabilities are crucial for India Air Force, which operates in some of the most hostile terrains in the world.

They can also be used for medical evacuation, disaster relief, search and recovery, fire-fighting and civil development. It has fully integrated digital cockpit management system. The Chinook has the capacity to carry a maximum payload capacity of 11 tonnes and 45 troops. It has an additional capacity to lift underslung load of up to 10 tonnes.

The entire fleet of 15 Chinooks are expected to arrive in India by March 2020.