Army’s demand for attack choppers triggers fresh turf war with IAF

[arp2041]

Army chief General Bikram Singh has launched an aggressive campaign among the top echelons of the government demanding that the Army be allowed to have its own attack helicopters. The move has triggered a fresh round of stand-off between the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF), while many sources in the security establishment are appalled by the persistent turf wars among the three services and their failure to integrate themselves for modern warfare.

Gen Singh made the pitch for the Army to have its own attack helicopters during a meeting with defence minister AK Antony last week. The Army chief is also believed to have reiterated the demand in a meeting with national security advisor (NSA) Shivshankar Menon. Sources said a reluctant IAF chief may also have been called into the meeting by the NSA.

Gen Singh’s forceful campaign has surprised many in the security establishment since the issue is under examination by a high-power committee. More importantly, at a time when defence forces around the world are working towards integration into a seamless unit for fighting modern warfare, the turf battle is symbolic of the Indian reality — of each service protecting its turf, and fending off all integration efforts.

The crux of the matter is the Army’s desire to have a bigger aviation wing, including attack helicopters and medium lift choppers. Now, the Army is only authorized to operate helicopters that weigh less than 5 tonnes. Under the Joint Army Air Instruction of 1986, the Army is empowered to operate light utility helicopters for communication, directing artillery fire etc. All heavier helicopters, including attack choppers and fixed wing aircraft, are to be operated by the IAF. The Navy enjoys exemption because of its unique need for operating in maritime environs.

The Army demanded helicopters heavier than 5 tonnes, including attack choppers for itself, in the Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for 2012-27 that it had submitted several months ago. Though LTIPP for the military was approved by the defence acquisition council, headed by Antony in April, the Army’s demand for operating bigger helicopters was referred to a panel, headed by Vice Admiral S P S Cheema, deputy chief of the integrated defence staff (perspective planning and force development), and comprising representatives from various services. This committee’s study has been underway, when Gen Singh made his aggressive pitch.

The IAF is not amused and has strongly opposed the Army’s demand, saying it would be wastage of resources. The IAF also believes that it could take up to three to four decades for the Army to inculcate an aviation culture for maintaining and flying heavier helicopters. IAF also points out that it has projected the total needs of both the Army and the Air Force in LTIPP, and does not discriminate between the two.

Sources in the security establishment are appalled by the turf wars between the services. A senior official argued that the government needs to exercise its political leadership and ensure that the three services move quickly in adopting inter-operability and developing more unified concepts.

Army

 

[harpoon]

Shame on IAF.

 

[buddyboyyash]

i dunno whom to side with


both are correct n justified...

n its bullshit that they are divided...throw a stone at india n u ll get a punch back by all forces...together

 

[Sergi]

IA should get its Attack Helis. And IAF should not fight for this turf. Both forces should be allowed to operate Helis.

 

[harpoon]

i dunno whom to side with


both are correct n justified...

n its bullshit that they are divided...throw a stone at india n u ll get a punch back by all forces...together

There is no justification for IAF's stand. In all modern Armies rotary aircrafts are operated by Army, Navy or Marines. AF just stick to VIP transport and fixed wings. It seems IAF is afraid of losing their monopoly in the flying department.

 

[Dash]

I am totally against IAF in this issue, they seem have some complex over IA in this matter. MOD must intervene and control IAF, else its as good as a auticratic IAF which doesnt listen to GOI.

 

[Alphacharlie]

Army chief General Bikram Singh has launched an aggressive campaign among the top echelons of the government demanding that the Army be allowed to have its own attack helicopters. The move has triggered a fresh round of stand-off between the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF), while many sources in the security establishment are appalled by the persistent turf wars among the three services and their failure to integrate themselves for modern warfare.

Gen Singh made the pitch for the Army to have its own attack helicopters during a meeting with defence minister AK Antony last week. The Army chief is also believed to have reiterated the demand in a meeting with national security advisor (NSA) Shivshankar Menon. Sources said a reluctant IAF chief may also have been called into the meeting by the NSA.

Gen Singh’s forceful campaign has surprised many in the security establishment since the issue is under examination by a high-power committee. More importantly, at a time when defence forces around the world are working towards integration into a seamless unit for fighting modern warfare, the turf battle is symbolic of the Indian reality — of each service protecting its turf, and fending off all integration efforts.

The crux of the matter is the Army’s desire to have a bigger aviation wing, including attack helicopters and medium lift choppers. Now, the Army is only authorized to operate helicopters that weigh less than 5 tonnes. Under the Joint Army Air Instruction of 1986, the Army is empowered to operate light utility helicopters for communication, directing artillery fire etc. All heavier helicopters, including attack choppers and fixed wing aircraft, are to be operated by the IAF. The Navy enjoys exemption because of its unique need for operating in maritime environs.

The Army demanded helicopters heavier than 5 tonnes, including attack choppers for itself, in the Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for 2012-27 that it had submitted several months ago. Though LTIPP for the military was approved by the defence acquisition council, headed by Antony in April, the Army’s demand for operating bigger helicopters was referred to a panel, headed by Vice Admiral S P S Cheema, deputy chief of the integrated defence staff (perspective planning and force development), and comprising representatives from various services. This committee’s study has been underway, when Gen Singh made his aggressive pitch.

The IAF is not amused and has strongly opposed the Army’s demand, saying it would be wastage of resources. The IAF also believes that it could take up to three to four decades for the Army to inculcate an aviation culture for maintaining and flying heavier helicopters. IAF also points out that it has projected the total needs of both the Army and the Air Force in LTIPP, and does not discriminate between the two.

Sources in the security establishment are appalled by the turf wars between the services. A senior official argued that the government needs to exercise its political leadership and ensure that the three services move quickly in adopting inter-operability and developing more unified concepts.

Army

There was massive Hue and Cry when Air Op was convered into AAC 1986-87 and IA was allowed only Ops and Recee Choopers.

IAF FlyBoys Often cease sortie in case of incesant weather whease, as we never stoped. Bearing in mind most of AAC offers are from Arty/Infantry and understand the Groud Reality.

Gen Bikram Singh good you have taken the cause of Gen (R) VK Singh...we need Air Cavalry at earliest.

 

[sancho]

IA should get its Attack Helis. And IAF should not fight for this turf. Both forces should be allowed to operate Helis.

That wouldn't make sense, because they would be used for the same things and that really would be a waste of resources, so either you remain as it is, with IAF responsible for all transportationa roles, or give the combat and medium class heli fleet to IA's airwing as well (since they are mainly used for transporting IA troops, equipment or support them anyway) and give IAF only heavy weight transport and specialised helicopters for certain roles, next to the fixed wing fleet.

I am totally against IAF in this issue, they seem have some complex over IA in this matter. MOD must intervene and control IAF, else its as good as a auticratic IAF which doesnt listen to GOI.

Generally I agree, but this push seems to be a PR attack on IAF and based on pride issues as well! IAs airwing will get Rudra and LCH attack helicopters anyway, so it's not like there is no change in the policy, but this could be a planned move to get the Mi 35 and especially the their replacements (most likely the Apaches) as well!
IAs airwing already won to a certain extend, but now wants to get all and IAF obviously won't give up without a fight. That's why I often say, MoD has to get a way stronger stand against the forces and must decide things that effects Indias security on their own. If decades old habits have to be changed, for operational advantages in modern warfares, they have to do it, even if one of the forces don't likes it anymore.

 

[SamantK]

I think the earlier arrangement of owning rotary assets by IA is enough... however IAF should depute it's pilots without any control over them till the time of deputation... That should I guess settle the matter and the turf war ...

 

[Whazzup]

There is no justification for IAF's stand. In all modern Armies rotary aircrafts are operated by Army, Navy or Marines. AF just stick to VIP transport and fixed wings. It seems IAF is afraid of losing their monopoly in the flying department.

Why so ? IAF is completely justified here why give IA attack helos when they can ask for air support from IAF's helo were'nt they were doing it till now and will be doing so in the case of heavy support via jets?? So whats the probelm now.....Why waiste resources ???

And BTW doesn't IA already facing the probelm of lack of officers to lead their men and isn't this step going to further increase this probelm.

 

[arp2041]

Well among the top 3 military powers in the world US & Chinese army both operate attack choppers with Russia being an exception which has transferred all aircrafts to it's air force. So the general trend among top forces is that ground forces at least have the attack helis capability, i don't think why Indian Army should be different, they should get what they want to implement there new warfare doctrine of "cold start", it calls for a massive firepower improvement in every field such as artillery, tanks, combat helis, etc. apart from utilizing resources of IAF & IN.

 

[OrionHunter]

It is simple. Integrated battle groups of the Army consist of varied platforms that are closely knit into one composite unit. From armour and mechanised infantry to air defence weapons and self propelled artillery. What is missing is the flexibility of anti tank attack choppers for taking on enemy mechanised forces at greater ranges.

Now when all other elements are from the Army, then why not attack choppers too? The are part of the integrated battle group. Army pilots are better attuned to battle tactics and methodologies to prosecute a battle at ground level as they are trained from the very beginning of their careers to do just this. Further, the ethos of the air force is a little different from the army and therefore the so called 'jointmanship' where integration is concerned is extremely difficult.

The Air Force should concentrate on close air support (CAS), interdiction, air defence, transport air support and CAPs. They should leave the conduct of fast moving tactical battles in a mechanised environment to the Army (where IBGs are concerned) for better coordination and quicker reaction.

However, what would need to be sorted out is Air Space Management over the battle area between the AF and Army aviation assets. That includes air defence missiles/guns, artillery, attack choppers, CAS aircraft and of course enemy air and ground assets too. That's a veritable cocktail for disaster what with all that muck flying around in a limited battle area!

Now as they say, too many cooks spoil the broth. It would therefore be more prudent if coordination of all these assets is done by the army itself. And that will only be possible if the attack choppers are integrated with the army.

 

[buddyboyyash]

There is no justification for IAF's stand. In all modern Armies rotary aircrafts are operated by Army, Navy or Marines. AF just stick to VIP transport and fixed wings. It seems IAF is afraid of losing their monopoly in the flying department.

the problem is...IAF already lacks the tech upgrade n manpower...now if army gets permission for attack helis...what will the govt have to do??...buy more attack helis and the army will have to recruit pilots from the air force academies...

whereas army's stand is also true...as justified by u

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

By the logic IAF is using the Indian Army shouldn't have allowed the IAF to get its own Special Force ie The Garuds.

 

[Tshering22]

IAF is behaving like a child these days. The regressive method of "all air assets in air force hands" is over. It died with USSR. Now every force needs an air wing and who'd use attack helos more than the IA? In fact, I feel that IAF should transfer the new AH-64s as well to the Army Aviation so that the men on ground have an immediate aerial back up. India, China and Russia are Army-dominated countries where landmass is plenty, terrain is hostile and enemy is unpredictable. One cannot use Israeli tactics of air raids or US methods of sending the Navy everywhere during wartimes first.

Army needs to take priority calling and for that they need attack helicopters. IAF needs to be more mature and understand that they should focus more on fixed wing aircraft and excelling in them rather than take centuries to induct new aircraft.