Two new advanced military choppers for BSF air wing

[Hindustani78]

Two new advanced military choppers for BSF air wing | Zee News
Last Updated: Sunday, April 5, 2015 - 10:24

New Delhi: After over six-month delay, two new advanced military choppers have landed in India to be inducted into the elite air wing of the Border Security Force, which is tasked to carry air support missions for troops along the borders and in the hinterland for anti-Naxal operations.


The Russian-made Mi-17 V5 choppers will boost the flying capability of central paramilitary forces that are deployed for a variety of internal security tasks in some of the most arduous and inhospitable conditions at numerous locations.

"Two new Mi-17 V5's are in India now. The choppers are flying for trials in various parts of the country and will be soon inducted in the BSF air wing," a senior official said.

The official said the choppers have been initially based at the BSF hangar at Safdarjung airport here and are expected to be formally inducted into the fleet by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on April 9.

The new pair, sources said, are expected to be tasked for anti-Naxal operations and with their new bases in Chhattisgarh (Jagdalpur) and Odisha (Koraput).

What makes the induction of these new choppers important, the sources said, is that these flying machines are armed with the latest avionics and night flying capabilities which has been a long-time requirement for security forces undertaking operations in Naxal violence affected zones.

"The existing IAF and Dhruv fleet of BSF were not very much equipped to undertake casualty evacuation or troop insertion exercises during evening hours. These new choppers can now undertake night landings at designated bases," they said, adding they will be used to transport men and logistics.

These improved versions of the Mi-17 helicopters were initially supposed to be handed over to BSF by Russians in September last year but due to some glitches the delivery could not take place.

A team from Russia had come to meet senior Home Ministry officials in November last and after this, the delivery time was fixed in March 2015, they said.

PTI

 

[The_Sidewinder]

Welcome news.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Good but it's not enough. The CAPFs/MHA should have a large pool of helos (40-50+ aircraft) for all central agencies to use.

 

[SuperSubrayan]

Ya .... but why stop with just 2 Mi17 . And why Druv are not capable of night landing operation , and other task at night !!!!!

 

[Abingdonboy]

And why Druv are not capable of night landing operation , and other task at night !!!!!

They must be Mk-1 ALHs and the BSF has not bothered having them upgraded to be night flight capable.

 

[SuperSubrayan]

They must be Mk-1 ALHs and the BSF has not bothered having them upgraded to be night flight capable.

Any valid source ? If possible ?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Any valid source ? If possible ?

A valid source to what mate? It is simply logic- the Mk-2 and Mk-3 ALHs had full NVG compatibility and have no issues with night ops thus the BSF's ALHs must be Mk-1s.

 

[Hindustani78]

BSF will induct two new advanced MI - 17 V5 choppers on Thursday to help boost its air wing, suffering from operational difficulties at present due to use of helicopters which are past their prime. The two choppers are part of eight MI-17 V5 sanctioned for the force by the government earlier.

The choppers will be inducted into the BSF air fleet by home minister Rajnath Singh at Safdarjung Airport. Until now the force has been using six MI-17 1V, six ALH (Dhruv) and one Cheetah helicopter. Sources say much of the six MI-17 1V, though operational, are past their prime and the Russian made MI-17 V5 will add to the strength of the fleet.

The new choppers are armed with the latest avionics and night flying capabilities which has been a long-time requirement for BSF and other paramilitary forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations.

BSF Air Wing has a fleet of four Fixed Wing (FW) aircrafts (Embraer--1, Avro--2 and SKA B-200--1) and 13 helicopters operating under aegis of MHA. BSF Air Wing is involved in providing required air support to various paramilitary forces engaged in both anti-Naxal operations and border patrol since 1969. All helicopters are presently operating from BSF air bases established at Ranchi, Raipur, Agartala, Srinagar and Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi.

Medium lift helicopters (MLH) MI-17 1V fleet was inducted in BSF in 2003. These helicopters were procured under the J&K action plan. Earlier this fleet was mainly used for air logistics and communication tasks. However, in the last few years their employment and the scope of their utilization has extended to include disaster relief, special heliborne operations (SHBO) for the National Security Guards, anti-naxal operations, counter insurgency operations, air-maintenance of remote border out posts, casualty evacuation etc.

The versatility of the MI-17 platform has opened up new avenues for additional tasks like reconnaissance, security, urban policing, VIP movement etc. There is an expanding operational requirement to augment our capacity of medium lift helicopters due to the dynamic nature of national security threats, said a BSF officer.

The additional role and tasks demanded expansion and modernization of the existing medium lift helicopter fleet of BSF Air Wing, the officer added.

To meet the increased role and tasks that MHA has mandated on BSF Air Wing, procurement of eight Mi 17 V5 helicopters was dovetailed with the demand of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Aviation Research Centre (ARC) and the procurement was centrally handled by MoD with Rosoboronexport, Russia.

"The government recognizes the increasing use of air dimension in addressing the internal security challenges in the country. Air assets provide the most effective assistance to the internal security challenges," a BSF officer said.

The government's aim is to provide short, swift and sharp air-lift capabilities to the troops of paramilitary forces and assist in ground operations, said sources.

"Any ground movement of troops is time consuming, vulnerable to IEDs and ambushes by the Naxals. The security forces are required to operate from deep inside the inaccessible terrain in these areas with continuous shifting of their operation sites. Therefore, the safest and quickest passage can only be attained by creating air-bridge with the help of MLH between the CAPF bases. Hence government has decided to deploy these MI-17 V5 helicopters in Delhi, Raipur and Ranchi airbases," said the officer.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju at the Induction Ceremony of two Mi–17 V5 Helicopters into the BSF, in New Delhi on April 09, 2015.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju being presented a memento at the Induction Ceremony of two Mi–17 V5 Helicopters into the BSF, in New Delhi on April 09, 2015.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju addressing at the Induction Ceremony of two Mi–17 V5 Helicopters into the BSF, in New Delhi on April 09, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

Advanced choppers inducted into BSF
10 Apr, 2015
Text: PTI

Two modern 'Mi' helicopters, armed with latest avionics to fly in deep jungles and conduct night sorties, were inducted into the elite air wing of the country's largest border guarding force BSF.

The two Mi-17-V5 choppers are the first batch of the total eight helicopters' fleet which are expected to join the Border Security Force by this year-end.

Image: A water canon salute is given for two Mi-17 V5 Helicopters during the induction ceremony into the Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi on April 9, 2015.

Bolster anti-Naxal operations
10 Apr, 2015
The choppers will be used to bolster anti-Naxal operations and various other tasks conducted by central paramilitary forces in both border areas and the hinterland.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju inducted the two 'birds' into the BSF fleet at a ceremony held at Safdarjung airport here.

Image: A water canon salute is given for two Mi-17 V5 Helicopters during the induction ceremony into the Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi on April 9, 2015.

Embossed with the BSF logo and name
10 Apr, 2015
The military choppers, embossed with the BSF logo and name, were given a tri-colour water jet salute as soon as they landed at the tarmac here.

Image: Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) D. K. Pandey (L) watches as an Indian priest offers prayers with Junior Home Minister, Kiren Rijiju (2L) during the induction ceremony for two Mi-17 V5 Helicopters into the Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi on April 9, 2015.

Upgraded version of the existing 'Mi-17' choppers
10 Apr, 2015
The Russian-made choppers are an upgraded version of the existing 'Mi-17' choppers operated by Indian Air Force and BSF in the country.

Image: An Indian priest waits for Junior Home Minister, Kiren Rijiju during the induction ceremony for two Mi-17 V5 Helicopters into the Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi on April 9, 2015.

Helipads have been constructed especially for them
10 Apr, 2015
BSF, which operates the air wing for the Union Home Ministry and all forces under its command like CRPF, ITBP, SSB and NSG, has made elaborate plans to base these helicopters in anti-Naxal operations grid and some helipads have been constructed especially for them.

Image: Mi - 17 V5 Helicopters being given Tri-colored water cannol salute during its induction into the BSF at Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi.

 

[Hindustani78]

The military choppers, embossed with the BSF logo and name, were given a tri-colour water jet salute as soon as they landed at the tarmac. (Source: Express photo by Renuka Puri)

Mi' helicopters armed with latest avionics to fly in deep jungles and conduct night sorties, were inducted into the elite air wing of BSF. (Source: Express photo by Renuka Puri)

 

[Abingdonboy]

Mi' helicopters armed with latest avionics to fly in deep jungles and conduct night sorties, were inducted into the elite air wing of BSF. (Source: Express photo by Renuka Puri)

The tricolour water cannon salute is just EPIC!


Hope the first Rafales gets the same treatment in a few years

 

[wiseone2]

two choppers for the entire BSF is too small a fleet

 

[Manindra]

two choppers for the entire BSF is too small a fleet

They already have 6 ALH & 6 MI-17

 

[Abingdonboy]

two choppers for the entire BSF is too small a fleet

These are just the first two of an 8 unit order of v5s that will be delivered the year but even that is too small, they need at least 40+ of them and the MHA as a whole needs an air wing of at least 100.