Anti-Naxal ops: IAF for recall of 15 choppers on UN missions

[CONNAN]

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Anti-Naxal ops: IAF for recall of 15 choppers on UN missions idrw.org

BY: PTI

Amid proposals for using helicopters for movement of paramilitary forces during anti-Naxal operations, the IAF has suggested to the government that its 15 choppers deputed for UN peacekeeping forces may be called back as it has constraints of resources.

The IAF has made it clear that it has no reservation in helping police and paramilitary forces in evacuation but is hard-pressed for helicopters as most of them are deployed for various operational requirements.

The Air Force has told the government that if it were to assist in anti-Naxal operations, it would require more helicopters, Defence Ministry sources told PTI here.

In this context, it has suggested that the 15 MI-17 helicopters deputed for UN peacekeeping missions in three African countries may be called back, they said.

“The option of calling back the choppers from foreign duties is still under consideration of the government,” the sources added.

The IAF has a fleet of medium-lift Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters, which are used for maintenance of troops in high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir and North East and to carry out relief and rescue missions during natural disasters.

The Home Ministry has proposed that IAF should provide helicopters for quick deployment and evacuation of paramilitary forces during anti-Naxal operations that may be carried out in inaccessible areas.

The proposal is currently before the Cabinet Committee on Security, which is yet to take a final view.

Use of the Air Force for combat has been ruled out because of the risk of collateral damage.

The Defence forces are not inclined to get involved in combat operations against Naxals and want to leave it to police and paramilitary forces.

At the same time, the IAF has kept four MI-17s in Raipur on standby in case these may be required for evacuation purposes in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh.

[Gene]

Our police men are dying here..!!The choppers are meant to serve first to our own people then to the rest of world...

[Agnostic_Indian]

Its hard to believe that a mission like this requires recalling of helicopters deployed for un mission.don't we have any back up ? God forbid what if a war happens ??

[Kinetic]

Its hard to believe that a mission like this requires recalling of helicopters deployed for un mission.don't we have any back up ? God forbid what if a war happens ??

Those choppers meant for UN missions are sitting duck. We better use them for own needs. There is no shortage but for future we are buying lots of choppers as well.

[Old School]

These choppers will be used for logistics only. IAF has no plan to use them on offensive role as far as my Indian colleague informed me.

[Kinetic]

These choppers will be used for logistics only. IAF has no plan to use them on offensive role as far as my Indian colleague informed me.

You are rite. These choppers will be used for logistics and they don't carry weapons.

[fatman17]

this is surprising - dosnt the IAF have a huge fleet? why recall the 15 choppers from the UN? i thought IAF had 100s of Mil-8 and 17's and has ordered another 80 Mil-17s!

[Goodperson]

this is surprising - dosnt the IAF have a huge fleet? why recall the 15 choppers from the UN? i thought IAF had 100s of Mil-8 and 17's and has ordered another 80 Mil-17s!

This proves your assumption wrong, but does it matter ?

[gogbot]

The IAF has made it clear that it has no reservation in helping police and paramilitary forces in evacuation but is hard-pressed for helicopters as most of them are deployed for various operational requirements.

The Air Force has told the government that if it were to assist in anti-Naxal operations, it would require more helicopters, Defence Ministry sources told PTI here.

In this context, it has suggested that the 15 MI-17 helicopters deputed for UN peacekeeping missions in three African countries may be called back, they said.

“The option of calling back the choppers from foreign duties is still under consideration of the government,” the sources added.

The IAF has a fleet of medium-lift Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters, which are used for maintenance of troops in high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir and North East and to carry out relief and rescue missions during natural disasters.

No recall has been made yet.

IAF , just want more choppers. They don't want to reroute any of their

helicopters as most of them are deployed for various operational requirements.

So , this could just be way for them to ask for more helicopters.

But considering the scale of the Maoist conflict .
Which go to some of the most remote and outlying parts of the country.
We might just need these heli .

But i am against calling back UN troops , for the sake for MAoist fighting , it send the wrong message.

[PakSher]

This proves your assumption wrong, but does it matter ?

I fail to understand that why the Indian Armed Forces are still sleeping while the maoists have spread to 15 states? I know why when 610,000 soldiers will be focused on Kashmir only and the other 10 division on the Eastern Border with Pakistan, who the hell will take care of the rest of India?

Again I see 200 helicopters inventory of the IAF and IA and 15 UN helicopters numbers do not add up.

[Old School]

The proposal of redeploying UN fleet is unlikely to be approved by the Indian MoD because that will also have adverse effect on the mission itself and Army will not like it. I have seen myself how hard it is in Africa to sustain logistics without these MI-17. We helped the Indian peacekeepers many times while requested for logistics support in Africa .

[sudhir007]

why not they use DHRUV

[Old School]

why not they use DHRUV

They need logistic support and DHRUV is not the right type for this particular operation. You will need five sorties of DHRUV to do the same job what MI-17 can do in one sortie. Not practical.

[Goodperson]

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I fail to understand that why the Indian Armed Forces are still sleeping while the maoists have spread to 15 states? I know why when 610,000 soldiers will be focused on Kashmir only and the other 10 division on the Eastern Border with Pakistan, who the hell will take care of the rest of India?

Again I see 200 helicopters inventory of the IAF and IA and 15 UN helicopters numbers do not add up.

Armed forces still have not received go ahead to engage maoist or you can call it sleeping in your words.