Indian Army’s Spear Corps and IAF continue to focus on enhancing OP preparedness

The Indian Army’s Spear Corps and the IAF jointly continue to enhance OP preparedness through synergised efforts which started on September 11. The Indian Army said that Chinook helicopters were utilized for carrying Ultra Light Howitzers in an underslung configuration.

The spear corps is the formation of the army which was formed in World War 1 in Mesopotamia during its respective campaign. Before the reorganization of the British and Indian forces in Mesopotamia, it was designated as the Tigris Corps. A new III corps was formed by the Indian Army during the Second World War for service in Southeast Asia and fought in the Battle of Singapore where it surrendered in February 1942.

Usage of Chinook helicopters for carrying ultralight howitzers, what are the Chinook choppers

The Indian army said that during the joint op preparedness, Chinook helicopters were used by the IAF and they carried the Ultra Light Howitzers of the Indian Army on 11th September 23. These are the M777 howitzers which were purchased from the US to strengthen the Indian Army’s artillery strength.

The CH-47 Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter which provides the Indian Air Force with unmatched strategic airlift capability across the full spectrum of combat and humanitarian missions. The Chinook has surpassed the ability to deliver heavy payloads to high altitudes and is eminently suitable for Ops in the high Himalayas. The twin-rotor helicopter has been battle-tested in diverse, extreme conditions throughout the world and has proven the capability to operate in a wide range of conditions that typify the Indian Subcontinent.

The CH-47 helicopter is an advanced multi-mission chopper that is used by the Indian Air Force and is made by Boeing Aerospace and Defence. Initially, it was made for the US but its use in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was so useful for the US military that even other nations like India, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Egypt, Italy, Greece and many other nations around the world. The Chinook also has a naval version known as the sea Chinook as the US Navy has been operating different versions of the CH53 helicopter and it is a big asset in US maritime Ops.

The IAF’s CH47 contains a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, common aviation architecture, cockpit and advanced cargo handling capabilities that complement the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics. The Chinook has a 60ft Rotor diameter, 30.14 m length with rotors operating, it has a fuselage of 15.46m, a 3.78m fuselage width, a cruise speed of 291 KM/hr and a 200nm mission radius, it has a maximum gross weight of 22,680 KG and useful load of 24000 Ibs.

The IAF signed a deal with the US in 2015 for 22 Apache attacks and 15 Chinook helicopters with the US for the IAF. The IAF has already received this consignment and has deployed these choppers in border areas against Pakistan and China. The IAF has been conducting various resumes and surveillance Ops using these helicopters and they are a great asset to the IAF as they improve their operational capability. These helicopters have replaced the IAF’s obsolete MI17 choppers which India bought from Russia.