Boeing Delivers 4 Chinook Helicopters to Indian Air force

• In a boost to its strategic airlift capability, the Indian Air Force is all set to induct 4 advanced multi-role heavy-lift Chinook helicopters.

Background

The heavy-lift capability role in Indian Air Force is currently being fulfilled by 4 Soviet-based Mi-26 choppers out of which only one is serviceable.However, in order to fulfill the Indian Air Force’s operational heavy-lift capability, India needs 12-13 choppers.In this backdrop, India signed a $1.1billion deal with the US in 2015 to acquire 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.In addition, 22 Apache attack helicopters were also a part of the deal to upgrade India’s attack capabilities.

About CH-47F (I) Chinook helicopters

• CH-47 Chinook is a heavy-lift helicopter having a payload lifting capacity of 10 tonnes.Chinook is a multi-role helicopter with vertical-lift platform, capable of air-lift services in both combat and humanitarian missions in difficult terrains.Chinook helicopters are equipped with advanced cockpit, as well as advanced cargo-handling capabilities.

Combat Mission Operations

• Chinooks will be used to airlift artillery, light armored vehicles, troops and supplies to difficult mountainous terrains.With a 10 ton payload capacity, Chinooks will be significant in ferrying heavy machinery such as M777 Ultra Light Howitzer to high altitude areas.The Border Road Organisation will use Chinook helicopters to carry road construction and engineering equipments to unchartered terrains.

Humanitarian Missions

• Chinooks will be significant in carrying relief supplies to humanitarian and disaster relief operations and mass evacuation of refugees.

Indo-US Defense partnership

• India and the US share enduring interests and values as the oldest and largest democracies.India and US have a common interest in ensuring that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability and growing prosperity.The US-India defence and security cooperation continues to undergo a rapid expansion as part of deepening strategic partnership, through the US-India Defence Trade and Technology Initiative of 2012.This initiative seeks to create opportunities for US-India co-production and co-development, foster science and technology cooperation, and remove bureaucratic barriers to trade.Bilateral defence trade between India and the United States has risen from near zero to $15 billion since 2008.

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Types of trade deals

• Government to Government sales            Government-to-government foreign military sales from US to India in recent years include C-17 transport aircraft, 155 mm Light-Weight Towed Howitzers, Harpoon missiles, C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) support equipment.Direct commercial salesIn addition to the foreign military sales, India has purchased defence articles since 2013 via the direct commercial sales process, including aircraft, gas turbine engines, and electronics etc.In 2016, India was also awarded the status of a US major defence partner.This allows India to receive license-free access to a wide range of military and dual-use technologies that are regulated by the Department of Commerce.The two countries also agreed to an updated ten-year Defence Framework Agreement in 2015 to guide and expand their bilateral defence and strategic partnership until 2025.The historic 2+2 Dialogue held in 2018 is an indication of the deepening strategic partnership between the United States and India.Further, the upgradation of India to Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status (allowing high-technology product sales to India) by US in 2018 and signing of COMCOSA corroborates US’s recognition of India as a leading global power and net security provider in the region.