Defence ministry considering replacing outdated Cheetah, Chetak choppers

[CONNAN]

The defence ministry is seriously contemplating replacing the age-old Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet used by the Indian army, said Adv Meenal Wagh Bhosale, founder member of the Army Wives' Agitation Group.

• 

The defence ministry is seriously contemplating replacing the age-old Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet used by the Indian army, said Adv Meenal Wagh Bhosale, founder member of the Army Wives' Agitation Group.

Adv Meenal met Manohar Parikar, union minister of defence, in New Delhi on Wednesday to draw the government's attention to the neglected issue, and demanded scrapping and replacement of the outdated helicopter fleet. She said her meeting was 'successful', adding that the government was well aware of the issue and appeared to be serious about replacing the fleet.

Speaking to dna, she said that the minister told her that replacing the age-old fleet was a priority for the government. "The minister said that scrapping a fleet of about 175 Cheetah and Chetak helicopters can't be done unless they are first replaced. The government is considering options of replacement and a decision on this will be taken soon," she said.

Adv Meenal has also submitted documents in support of her demand that the fleet, which is still used as the mainstay of army aviation, needs to be scrapped as it is outdated and overworked. Many accidents of these copters have claimed the lives of pilots, officers and army personnel, as it is risky when they are used in disaster management for rescue and relief.

"I hope this serious concern of us army wives has reached the minister and the government. I hope that some concrete action will be taken soon," said Adv Meenal.

Defence ministry considering replacing outdated Cheetah, Chetak choppers: Army officer's wife | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis

 

[OrionHunter]

Thanks to bureaucrat and political lethargy as well as their couldn't-care-less attitude, now even Army wives are up in arms. Will the MoD now get up from their dead a$$es and on their dying feet and get moving before more pilots' lives are put on the line with these outdated machines?

 

[vk17]

Requesting GOI please give only 5 of those ageing 175 Helicopters to CRPF. It can save 100 of lives in CRPF every year.
CRPF don't get even fraction of Army's budget, but do as much work as them. Atleast bother giving CRPF their old used items, it will act as life saver here in CRPF.

 

[Ronin]

Let these politicians fly in these helicopters

 

[Abingdonboy]

The defence ministry is seriously contemplating replacing the age-old Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet used by the Indian army, said Adv Meenal Wagh Bhosale, founder member of the Army Wives' Agitation Group.

• 

The defence ministry is seriously contemplating replacing the age-old Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet used by the Indian army, said Adv Meenal Wagh Bhosale, founder member of the Army Wives' Agitation Group.

Adv Meenal met Manohar Parikar, union minister of defence, in New Delhi on Wednesday to draw the government's attention to the neglected issue, and demanded scrapping and replacement of the outdated helicopter fleet. She said her meeting was 'successful', adding that the government was well aware of the issue and appeared to be serious about replacing the fleet.

Speaking to dna, she said that the minister told her that replacing the age-old fleet was a priority for the government. "The minister said that scrapping a fleet of about 175 Cheetah and Chetak helicopters can't be done unless they are first replaced. The government is considering options of replacement and a decision on this will be taken soon," she said.

Adv Meenal has also submitted documents in support of her demand that the fleet, which is still used as the mainstay of army aviation, needs to be scrapped as it is outdated and overworked. Many accidents of these copters have claimed the lives of pilots, officers and army personnel, as it is risky when they are used in disaster management for rescue and relief.

"I hope this serious concern of us army wives has reached the minister and the government. I hope that some concrete action will be taken soon," said Adv Meenal.

Defence ministry considering replacing outdated Cheetah, Chetak choppers: Army officer's wife | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis

Stupid title/spin of this news item really. There is nothing to "consider", there is no doubt about it these Cheetaks/Cheetahs need to be retired YESTERDAY but the question is when not if.

The new GoI had scrapped the oppurtunity to get new LUH at the earliest oppurtunity, prefering to pursue their poltical Make in India agenda. Sadly we are looking at 2020 before the first Cheetaks/Cheetahs are retired realistically meaning the airmen and woman are likely to die in the meantime and I predict such incidents are only going to increase as the supply of many critical parts for both helos has stopped and many airframs now are being canabilzed as a result.

I would like the GoI/MoD to respond to the next time a Cheetak/Cheetah goes down, they have a duty of care but they have chosen to serve their own agenda no matter what spin they like to put on it.