Indian Army contracts civil helicopters for logistics needs in border areas

New Delhi: In a pioneering move aimed at bolstering logistics support to remote forward posts, the Indian Army has entered into a first-of-its-kind contract with civil aviation service providers.

This contract, designed to provide helicopter support to the Army’s winter cut-off posts along the Northern and Western borders, exemplifies India’s commitment to civil-military fusion and leveraging the PM Gati Shakti initiative.

The contract, executed for a period of one year, will ensure that 16 remote posts in the Jammu region are sustained throughout the year, while another 28 posts in Kashmir and Ladakh will benefit from this support for 150 days next year.

This initiative marks a decisive shift in how the Indian Army maintains its critical positions in high-altitude regions during the harsh winter months, when these areas are otherwise inaccessible due to snow.

One of the standout aspects of this contract is the use of civil aviation helicopters instead of the Indian Army’s own aviation or Indian Air Force assets. This shift is not just about reducing costs; it is a strategic move to preserve the service life of military helicopters for more critical roles in combat or emergency scenarios.

By leveraging civil aviation for routine logistics tasks, the Army ensures that its combat aviation fleet remains ready for more mission-critical operations.

The helicopters, provided under the contract, will operate from seven mounting bases in Ladakh, two in Kashmir, and one in the Jammu region, covering a total of 44 posts. These mounting bases have come up thanks to national endeavours such as Border Area Development and PM Gati Shakti’s infrastructural development push, which focuses on building an integrated and efficient logistics network across India’s borders. This is not only a logistical triumph but also a clear indication that civil aviation assets are now capable of operating in challenging forward areas, previously the exclusive domain of military aircraft.

What makes this initiative more noteworthy is the operational efficiency it brings. The contract’s terms specify that the civil aviation service provider will manage the entire load-carrying effort required to sustain these winter cut-off posts. The helicopters will ferry food, fuel, medical supplies, and other essential items, ensuring that these high-altitude positions remain fully operational and well-supplied during winter.

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