Despite shortages, Army Aviation raises tempo in operations along LAC

Progress expected in Ka-226T helicopter deal with Russia soon

While the Army’s repeated attempts to replace its ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters continue, there has been a quantum jump in the employment of helicopters of the Army Aviation in the last one year along the Northern borders during the ongoing standoff, according to defence sources. “The recent induction of 3rd generation night navigation goggles provides our helicopters with the requisite capability to operate almost during the entire moon phase. Adding to this capability, the recent induction of fresh lot of ammunition for the fleet of Rudra, weaponised variant of Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), also ensured a quantum jump in terms of capability of the Army Aviation helicopters,” one defence source said. “The growth of Army Aviation has been exponential in the past one year or so.” During the ongoing standoff and recent tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Army Aviation assets were deployed all along as a proactive stance giving our troops on ground the much needed surveillance support and confidence in terms of available fire support, the source said.