CONNAN
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http://www.livemint.com/2010/06/22200658/Govt-may-hire-helicopters-from.html?atype=tp
After facing stiff resistance from the Indian Air Force (IAF), the ministry of home affairs is considering hiring heavy-lift helicopters from foreign firms for quick movement of paramilitary forces and aerial surveillance in areas hit by Maoist insurgents.
“If the air force cannot give it to us, we will go the private sector. If still not available, we will go outside (to foreign countries). All options are open before us,” a senior home ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
“We are waiting for the CCS (cabinet committee on security) decision on this. We will see how much they are giving us. The home ministry will then take a call on hiring from outside,” the official said.
The CCS is expected to discuss the matter next week.
The ministry is seeking at least 20-25 additional helicopters as the present strength is inadequate, the official said. Intelligence-based strikes are restricted because troops cannot be rushed immediately without heavy-lift choppers, he added.
Around 60 battalions of Central paramilitary forces led by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are fighting Naxalites in nine states including Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The air force, which has deployed four helicopters for the search, rescue and ferrying of personnel in rebel-hit areas, has opposed deploying more of its assets for the operation. In the previous CCS meeting on Naxals, the air force said it could not spare more helicopters because of other commitments.
“Eight attack and 15 other medium-lift Mi-17 choppers are already deployed in UN missions in Congo and Sudan. (The) rest are being deployed in (the) North-East, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir for operational and tactical purposes,” said a senior air force official, who also did not want to be identified.
The air force has suggested that the government recall some of these helicopters if it needs them for anti-Naxal operations, he said. If the need arises, the government has the option to call back its assets deployed for foreign duties.
The Centre is debating the pros and cons of pulling out from its international commitments, the air force official added.
“It is not the air force(’s) choppers. Every asset belongs to the government of India. The defence ministry cannot say no if the CCS directs them for making more choppers available in anti-Naxal operations,” said another senior home ministry official, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
The CCS will now decide whether it should withdraw assets deployed on foreign soil or lease choppers from other countries. Whatever decision is being taken, it will be another two-three months before the demands of the home ministry are met, said the first official quoted in the story
After facing stiff resistance from the Indian Air Force (IAF), the ministry of home affairs is considering hiring heavy-lift helicopters from foreign firms for quick movement of paramilitary forces and aerial surveillance in areas hit by Maoist insurgents.
“If the air force cannot give it to us, we will go the private sector. If still not available, we will go outside (to foreign countries). All options are open before us,” a senior home ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
“We are waiting for the CCS (cabinet committee on security) decision on this. We will see how much they are giving us. The home ministry will then take a call on hiring from outside,” the official said.
The CCS is expected to discuss the matter next week.
The ministry is seeking at least 20-25 additional helicopters as the present strength is inadequate, the official said. Intelligence-based strikes are restricted because troops cannot be rushed immediately without heavy-lift choppers, he added.
Around 60 battalions of Central paramilitary forces led by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are fighting Naxalites in nine states including Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The air force, which has deployed four helicopters for the search, rescue and ferrying of personnel in rebel-hit areas, has opposed deploying more of its assets for the operation. In the previous CCS meeting on Naxals, the air force said it could not spare more helicopters because of other commitments.
“Eight attack and 15 other medium-lift Mi-17 choppers are already deployed in UN missions in Congo and Sudan. (The) rest are being deployed in (the) North-East, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir for operational and tactical purposes,” said a senior air force official, who also did not want to be identified.
The air force has suggested that the government recall some of these helicopters if it needs them for anti-Naxal operations, he said. If the need arises, the government has the option to call back its assets deployed for foreign duties.
The Centre is debating the pros and cons of pulling out from its international commitments, the air force official added.
“It is not the air force(’s) choppers. Every asset belongs to the government of India. The defence ministry cannot say no if the CCS directs them for making more choppers available in anti-Naxal operations,” said another senior home ministry official, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
The CCS will now decide whether it should withdraw assets deployed on foreign soil or lease choppers from other countries. Whatever decision is being taken, it will be another two-three months before the demands of the home ministry are met, said the first official quoted in the story
i was thinking why would IAF refuse to give its helis for the operation if Govt of India decides to initiate any.
