New Delhi. The Indian Army is set for a tremendous growth in its Aviation Corps with the planned induction of different types of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Outgoing Chief of Army Staff Gen J J Singh told India Strategic in an interview that while the Army had already decided on a replacement helicopter for its ageing Cheetahs and Chetaks, it was also looking at helicopters for attack, utility, electronic warfare and special operations role.

He did not name the replacement helicopter for the quarter-century old Chetaks and Cheetahs but said that the Army had already submitted its technical evaluation report to the government and he expected the new machines to be inducted gradually over the years.

The Army Chief also disclosed that "procurement process as already has been set into motion" for Battle Support helicopters but gave no details except that these machines should be capable f carrying 10 - 12 men into the battlefield.

"For provision of dedicated tactical mobility at field formation level, there are plans to provide Tactical Battle Support Helicopters (TBSHs) to the Army in the near future, for which the procurement process has already been set into motion," it was stated.

The formal ceremonies, carefully rehearsed, had to be abandoned; in their place was a spontaneous exhibition of joy and happiness which made August 15 an unforgettable day.

MOUNTBATTEN CHEERED On both occasions the Governor-General, when he drove in his State coach, was acclaimed as no other Governor-General of India within living memory has been greeted. Cries of “Mountbatten Zindabad” and Lord Sahib Zindabad” were heard along with the major and persistent shouts hailing Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and the Congress.

He said that the Army had to function in a joint, tri-service environment.

Notably, IAF has a few 20-ton Mi 26 helicopters acquired in the 1980s but as Russia stopped asking them after the demise of the Soviet Union, IAF needs to replace them and also add a few more, particularly as it is the only organization hat can deliver military material, or relief supplies, in the country's tough and distant terrain.

IAF is working out the procedural clearance for them with the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and an RfP for these massive machines could be issued any time within the next few months.

The Mi 26 is as big as the An 12 aircraft was, and there are reports that the Russians are coming up with a newer machine for domestic use as well as exports. Otherwise the only heavy lift helicopter available today is he US Boeing's Chinook.

Gen J J Singh made these points:

"To cater for emerging threat scenarios and to keep pace with technological advancements, Army Aviation is at the threshold of major modernization and expansion. The following accretions are underway to make the Army Aviation Corps a potent air arm of the future:

(a) Replacement Helicopters. The existing fleet of Chetak and heetah helicopters is planned to be replaced by a new generation helicopter in a phased manner in the coming years.

(b) Light Utility Helicopters. In order to provide tactical mobility to small bodies of troops at field force level, induction of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) has already commenced during the 10th Plan.

(c) Tactical Battle Support Helicopters. For provision of dedicated tactical mobility at field formation level, there are plans to provide Tactical Battle support Helicopters (TBSHs) to the Army in the near future, for which the procurement process has already been set into motion.

(d) Armed Utility helicopters. In order to provide tactical armed support to mechanized formations at field force level, induction of the armed version of ALH is also planned in the near future.

(e) Light Fixed Wing Aircraft. The Army is also planning to induct light fixed wing aircraft in future for surveillance and communication tasks.

(f) Spl Ops Sqn. A Spl Ops Squadron is being raised to provide dedicated integral aviation support to the Special Forces.

(g) Eli borne EW Flt. Raising of a HB EW flight has been planned to optimally exploit the third dimension to enhance the reach and potency of our Electronic Warfare effort.

Gen J J Singh said that the most important aspects relate to the functioning of the Army n a joint, disservice environment. Future conflicts will dictate integrated employment of the three components of our armed forces. This is the main theme in the Joint Doctrine published in 2006. Based on the Joint Doctrine, the Army has already published its doctrine, as have the other two services. All other doctrines, like the one on Sub-Conventional Operations released recently, take into account the imperatives of joint ness. The Army is increasingly focusing on the need for increased cooperation while operating n conjunction with the Navy and Air Force.