If the disconcerting state of the combat fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has become a matter of concern, the state of its rotary-wing fleet today, is not very inspiring either. While the shape, size and operational capability of the fleet of combat aircraft serves as a powerful deterrent in peacetime and serves as the spearhead of any offensive action during a war, the helicopter fleet is constantly on call for operational deployment, be it in peace or war.

In peacetime, the helicopter fleet of the IAF is employed for a variety of tasks that include unarmed reconnaissance, surveillance, communication duties, logistic support to ground forces, search and rescue (SAR), casualty evacuation, disaster management, VVIP travel and aid to civil authority. In times of war, the different segments of the helicopter fleet can be called upon to undertake operational tasks that could include armed reconnaissance, Forward Air Controller (FAC) duties, Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO), Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD), battlefield support operations, Combat SAR and anti-insurgency operations.

During the last decade, the IAF has been struggling to procure modern helicopters in different categories to replace the ageing fleets but has not met with much success except in the case of the Mi-17 V5 that are under delivery. However, the question that plagues the mind is whether the helicopter fleet of the IAF today is adequately equipped to undertake the tasks envisaged for it both in peace and war.

Light Utility Helicopters

The IAF was banking on the procurement of 64 light utility helicopters (LUH) from foreign sources as part of the tender for 197 machines for the combined requirement of the IAF and the Indian Army. The requirement of the IAF was meant to replace the obsolescent fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters that were inducted beginning in the 1970s. The requirement of the IAF was integrated into the tender when it was floated for the second time in 2008. The first time that the tender for 197 helicopters was issued was in 2004 and was entirely for the Indian Army. However, following allegations of impropriety in the selection process, the tender was cancelled on the day the contract was to be awarded to the winner Eurocopter for the AS550 C3 Fennec. Unfortunately, even the second round of the tender in which the Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS550 C3 Fennec again emerged as the winner, ran aground on account of investigations ordered into allegations of wrong doing.

Finally, after two years of dithering after completion of the investigations, on August 29, 2014, the IAF received the rather distressing news that the government had cancelled for the second time, the Rs. 6,000 crore tender for 197 LUH for the Indian Army and the IAF. It is understood that one of the reasons of this decision by the government was that the tender came under the ominous shadow of the scam tainted deal for 12 AW 101 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland.

While the cancellation of the LUH deal has certainly created serious difficulties for the Indian Army and the IAF as the Indian aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will find it increasingly difficult to continue to effectively support these ageing machines. However, this decision by the government, which is in conformity with the new thrust on indigenisation in the production of military hardware, may prove to be bonanza for the Indian aerospace industry that can look forward to a business worth Rs. 40,000 crore to build at least 400 machines initially to meet with the total requirement of the three service. However, given the dismal track record of the Indian aerospace industry in meeting with time lines and quality standards, this development can hardly be inspiring. Development and delivery of an indigenous version of the LUH with equivalent payload capability and performance thus may continue to remain a distant dream for quite some time. The Indian Army and the IAF will have no option but to continue to operate the vintage fleet of the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters that are afflicted with depleting strength, eroding capability and escalating maintenance difficulties.

While the efforts to procure the LUH from foreign sources have not been successful, the NDA government must be given due credit for clearing a number of other long pending contracts for the IAF. These include tenders for 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and 22 Apache attack helicopters, both from Boeing.

Heavy-Lift Platforms

Currently, the IAF operates the Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter four of which were procured in the period 1986 to 1989. Beset with product support difficulties, only one of these machines is presently operational. After an elaborate selection process following a global tender, the twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook from Boeing emerged as the preferred option against the latest version of the Russian Mi-26. Although with a lower payload capability, the Chinook presented a lower acquisition and life-cycle cost as well as a better global operational profile when compared to the only other contender. The Chinook can be refuelled in flight and can be transported in this hold of a C-17 Globemaster III, features that provide better operational capability and strategic reach. Since October 2013 when the platform of choice was identified, the contract remained in limbo reportedly for both political and financial reasons but more likely on account of lack of will on the part of the government to push through the deal. Hopefully, with the new government giving the green signal, the IAF will receive a fleet of 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters in not too distant a future and thereby significantly enhance its operational capability.

Attack Helicopters

The Mi-25 was the first attack helicopter to be inducted in November 1983. This fleet was augmented in 1990 by the Mi-35. As these machines had been overtaken by obsolescence, the IAF projected a demand for a modern platform for which the Apache AH-64D Longbow attack helicopter from Boeing of US was selected against the only other competitor in the race, the Russian Mi-28. It is understood that 22 of the Apache Longbow would be acquired for around $1.4 billion. Apart from the platform itself, weapons, radars and electronic warfare suites will be procured from other sources in the US. The case has been duly cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and is now to be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Hopefully, the new fleet of Apache attack helicopters would be operational in the IAF before the end of this decade.