|
In November 2012, MoD had considered the long pending issue of ownership of attack helicopter assets in favour of the Army. While
the Indian Air Force (IAF) was to retain the 22 Boeing Apaches being acquired, the Army was asked by the MoD to put up of its own
requirement of Apache attack helicopters for Government approval. The Army accordingly had worked out the requirement for three
squadrons of Apache attack helicopters for its three Strike Corps (1, 2 and 21) and the same was put up to the Government for approval.
The present Government has approved the Army’s requirement thereby setting into motion the acquisition process.
Alongside this the armed Dhruv helicopter christened Rudra (manufactured by HAL) has already been inducted into the AAC with the
first unit currently under raising. These are indeed major positive developments and will give the necessary boost to the growth and
modernisation process of the AAC.
Despite the above developments, it would be pertinent to mention that the aviation arm of the Army today is nowhere near the one
envisaged in 1963 by the then COAS General JN Chaudhry, nor as it has been projected in the army’s perspective plans over the years
and, therefore, lacks some vital elements in its inventory related to firepower, lift and logistics capabilities. It is indeed a far cry from
the Aviation Corps of the other professional armies in the world like USA and UK and our neighbors China and Pakistan who operate
and own all types of helicopters as well certain number of fixed wing aircraft.
Present Status
The AAC is in its 28th year of existence and has the largest number of helicopters amongst the three services with the major part of its
inventory consisting of the reconnaissance and observation category (approximately 200 Cheetah and Chetak helicopters). This fleet
is 40 years old and obsolete and requires immediate replacement. Keeping this fleet operational itself is becoming increasingly
difficult due to their vintage and spares criticality. The Cheetal helicopter (upgraded Cheetah with a more powerful engine)
fielded by HAL as an interim replacement, is not a satisfactory solution, basically due to some serious short comings related
to technology and airframe. While the induction of the light utility helicopter (ALH) is progressing satisfactorily, with the sixth unit
raising underway, the medium and heavy lift helicopters which form the core of the tactical lift capability still elude the AAC. However,
the attack and armed helicopters now being part of the Corps are expected to give it the much needed punch and firepower that it was lacking.
Future Growth Prospects/ Challenges
The operational diversities of the Indian Army coupled with a variety of terrain, extensive deployment in mountains/high altitude areas
require assets that are capable of operating across this environmental spectrum. New dimensions in tactical night operations
as a direct result of sensor and avionics capabilities, with the ability to operate at low levels at night will yield great dividends. The
present force structure of AAC has wide gaps in its capabilities which inhibit it from being able to perform the roles envisaged. There is
a need to bridge these gaps at the earliest to make army aviation a potent arm of the Indian army, whereby its combat efficiency is
enhanced to the maximum extent.
Light Observation Helicopters
The present Cheetah/Chetak fleet has outlived its utility and needs immediate replacement. The trials for their replacement were completed
more than a year back with the French Eurocopter (Fennec) and Russian Kamov (Ka-226) in the fray. The plans are to acquire a total of 197 helicopters for the army and air
force (137 and 60, respectively). However, the recent scandal involving the purchase of VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland has had its collateral damage on the Cheetah/
Chetak replacement project with the crucial project being put on hold indefinitely. Due to the nature of terrain prevalent on our Eastern and Northern borders (mountains
and high altitude), especially the Siachen Glacier, this class of helicopters is essential to maintain enhanced defence preparedness
and operational readiness. While the Army has presently placed orders for 20 Cheetals on the HAL to cater for its critical shortfalls;
for the long term the HAL has embarked on a Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) project in the 3-tonne class and hopes to field it by 2016.
While the design freeze stage has been reached, the HAL needs to come good on its commitment of 2016, keeping in mind the criticality of the situation.
Light Utility Helicopters
In the light utility category five units of ALH have already been raised and are operational including one in high altitude, while the sixth is presently
under raising. A total of eight such units are planned for induction, each having ten helicopters. This gives the capability to the
field force commander to move within the Tactical Battle Area (TBA) up to a company level force at the critical juncture of the battle,
without having to look over his shoulder. The ALH has also been test evaluated for high altitude operations with a more powerful
engine (Shakti), being produced by HAL in collaboration with French Turbomeca. This gives a major boost to enhancing the load
carriage capacity while operating at high altitudes, specially the Siachen Glacier.
Attack/ Armed Helicopters
Mechanised warfare in the plains and desert terrain requires the integration of the third dimension with the mechanised forces in terms of attack and
armed helicopters. These helicopters would also be required to undertake operations in the mountains-the Kargil conflict is an apt example where this weapon system
was ideal for employment. However, the available Mi-25s/Mi-35s were not capable of operating at those altitudes. The armed version of the ALH called the ‘Rudra’ has
already entered service with the army. The first unit consisting of 10 Rudras is currently under raising, with another six units planned
in the future. Though not a typical attack helicopter, it has an array of comparable weapons systems to include gun, rockets, air-to-air, and air-to-ground missiles (ATGM). However, presently the Rudra is without the
ATGM, as the indigenously produced NAG ATGM (air version ‘Helina’), stated to be a third generation fire and forget missile, is not
ready and not likely to be available in the near future, despite DRDO claims to the contrary. In the interim, the Army is planning to equip
its initial armed ALH units with a suitable air-to-ground missile ex-import. Trials for the same were completed almost a year back - in
fray were the French PARS-3 and Israeli Spike ER. The decision for their induction is pending with the MoD. In the attack helicopter the
meager resources held- two units of Russian origin attack helicopters Mi-25/Mi-35 are vintage needing replacement, though a certain amount of upgrade has been carried
out to make them night capable. The 22 Apache Longbow AH 64E (upgraded block-III with 26 new technologies incorporated) being acquired by the IAF are meant to be
their replacements. The Apache is state-of-the-art modern day attack helicopter with an array of lethal weapon sub systems to include guns, rockets, air-to-air and air-to-ground
missiles as well as helmet mounted targeting systems and advanced self protection suite. With the recent Government approval, the Army is also likely to put into motion the
acquisition process for 39 upgraded Apaches. In this respect, the development of the light combat helicopter (LCH) by the HAL is a milestone achievement. The LCH aims to gate
crash the exclusive club of the state-of-the-art light attack helicopters like Eurocopters Tiger, Bells AH 1Z Super Cobra and Chinas Zhisheng
10 (Z-10). The LCH is being designed to be able to operate at high altitudes (16,000 feet), a distinct advantage over other attack helicopters and an asset for our mountain
formations. Unlike the ALH, the LCH will have tandem seating cockpit and stealth features, but will carry the same weapons package now being qualified on board the Rudra. The
helicopter was expected to enter service by 2014 but is currently delayed.
Conclusion
For dominating the tactical battle space of the future, the army needs to create a dedicated and operational army aviation corps with an
inventory capable of supporting the entire spectrum of operations. While a major headway has been made in the armed/attack
helicopter category the Government needs to take a quick call on the crucial Cheetah/Chetak replacement project due to urgent operational
imperatives. The biggest advantage the AAC has is the indigenous capability of the HAL to meet the bulk of its requirement in terms
of helicopters and supporting systems (the ALH, Rudra, LUH & LCH projects). The biggest challenge before the AAC however will be its
ability to absorb these inductions of modern state-of-the-art equipment in the shortest possible time.
|
