Army Aviation Corps : Updates & Discussions
- Thread starter Tatvamasi
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Army is asking for 11 more and as per the report, the CDS wants a study to find how many gunships are actually required after that more numbers will be ordered.
While the Army has been pushing the case for 11 more Apaches, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) recently ordered a study on the number of armoured helicopters required which is expected to commence end-November or early-December. So, officials said, the call on additional Apaches would be taken once the study was complete.
11 more is only to get to 39 max that can be purchased right now without starting a new process. They are still figuring out what the final number will be. We may see anywhere between 50-100 more, but I'd personally like to see up to 300, enough to equip 25 armored brigades (250) and 2 MSCs (40).
You mentioned once that we have 14 corps and each corp wants 3 squadrons of helicopters comprising of 1 squadron each of utility, attack and transport helicopters. Here each squadron is having 18-20 units.
It gives a total of 42 squadrons having a requirement of around 840 helicopters. We are having/procuring:
90 ALH Dhruv
75 + 25* Rudra
5 + 95* LCH
6* Apache
259* LUH
It gives a total figure of around 555 helicopters. We can also get a minimum of 11 more apaches.
We will also see the induction of IMRH which might take the number close to 800.
Army has an outstanding requirement for 60 Tactical Battle Support Helicopters, which will be fulfilled with the IMRH.
HAL Indian Multirole Helicopter (IMRH) : Updates & Discussions
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That's for a division.
We may have as many as 120 IBGs. So each IBG will need at least 8 attack/armed helicopters. So the overall requirement would be 960. That's a mix of Apache, LCH and other armed ones. Right now, we only have somewhat of a committment for 2 per brigade.
When it comes to transport, once the IA is done with its modernization, they will have 200-300 LUHs, 200-300 IMRH and 150+ ALH. And a bit smaller numbers with IAF as well. There's no real end to how many transporters we need. We will need 8-10 per brigade here as well at the minimum. So that's 960 to 1200, and it's possible. We have 400-450 Chetaks, 250 Mi-17s and 300+ ALH, so we already have 1000. Light could climb to 500-600, IMRH could climb to 400 and 300-400 ALH, that will give us 1200-1400.
A squadron could be 8-10, 12/13, 16/17 or 24.
I guess the IA will know the ratio of Apaches and LCHs by early next year. We could end up with just 3 more full squadrons for the SCs or we could buy many for the plains (6-8 squadrons) or for the entire army (14 squadrons). Or it's possible even the corps will be reorganized. Let's see.
Hope DRDO will come up with different iterations of helina in near future, just like what US did with hellfire.
MoD signs contracts worth Rs 8073 Cr with HAL for acquisition of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III for Indian Army & Indian Coast Guard
Posted On: 13 MAR 2024 7:28PM by PIB Delhi
Consequent upon approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts for a combined value of Rs 8073.17 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru on 13 March 2024 for acquisition of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III along with Operational Role Equipment for Indian Army (25 ALHs) and Indian Coast Guard (09 ALHs) under Buy (Indian-IDDM - Indigenously Designed, Developed & Manufactured) category marking a significant move towards indigenisation in defence manufacturing.
The ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility), the Indian Army version, is designed for Search & Rescue, Troop Transportation, Internal Cargo, Recce/ Casualty Evacuation etc. It has proved its performance in high altitude regions like Siachen Glacier and Ladakh.
The ALH Mk III MR (Maritime Role), the ICG version, is designed for Maritime Surveillance and Interdiction, Search and Rescue, Rappelling Operations and also for Cargo & Personnel Transportation, Pollution Response using external cargo carrying capability and Medical Casualty Evacuation. It has proved its mettle even in adverse atmospherics conditions over sea and land.
The project will generate employment of an estimated 190 Lakh Man-Hours during its duration. It will also entail supply of equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and 70 local vendors will be involved in the indigenisation process which is likely to have a positive impact on employment generation in this sector, thus furthering the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar B
harat'.
Posted On: 13 MAR 2024 7:28PM by PIB Delhi
Consequent upon approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts for a combined value of Rs 8073.17 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru on 13 March 2024 for acquisition of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III along with Operational Role Equipment for Indian Army (25 ALHs) and Indian Coast Guard (09 ALHs) under Buy (Indian-IDDM - Indigenously Designed, Developed & Manufactured) category marking a significant move towards indigenisation in defence manufacturing.
The ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility), the Indian Army version, is designed for Search & Rescue, Troop Transportation, Internal Cargo, Recce/ Casualty Evacuation etc. It has proved its performance in high altitude regions like Siachen Glacier and Ladakh.
The ALH Mk III MR (Maritime Role), the ICG version, is designed for Maritime Surveillance and Interdiction, Search and Rescue, Rappelling Operations and also for Cargo & Personnel Transportation, Pollution Response using external cargo carrying capability and Medical Casualty Evacuation. It has proved its mettle even in adverse atmospherics conditions over sea and land.
The project will generate employment of an estimated 190 Lakh Man-Hours during its duration. It will also entail supply of equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and 70 local vendors will be involved in the indigenisation process which is likely to have a positive impact on employment generation in this sector, thus furthering the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar B
harat'.
Desert me rang mai Ranga Indian Army Apache! Looks great. Army Aviation in high spirits.
