ITBP seeks 3 Mi-17 copters to man frontier with China.

[Juggernautjatt]

The plan of wet leasing helicopters has become obsolete… The new plan is to purchase three Mi-17s and set up an air wing for the ITBP, which will consist of its own pilots and engineers. This plan is part of the modernisation proposal that is awaiting authorisation from the MHA.

Shaurya Karanbir Gurung
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 20

After being unable to lease two helicopters from private vendors, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police now wants to purchase three Mi-17 helicopters and set up a full-fledged air wing, which will not only make the force self-reliant but also help it in accomplishing crucial missions such as air-evacuation of people and maintenance of forward posts in high-altitude areas along the India-China frontier.

Having its own helicopters will also enable the ITBP to carry out operational missions such as quick insertion of troops and supplies, as also effective border surveillance on its own terms and schedule.

The demand for purchasing helicopters is part of the ITBP’s modernisation plan, which it sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs in June this year. The ITBP has also demanded more long-range surveillance cameras and high-resolution night-vision devices. The modernisation plan, valued at Rs 800 crore, is for five years, from the date of its approval by the government.

The plan of the ITBP to lease helicopters began in the early 2000s. In 2013, the ITBP had called for an Expression of Interest to hire two twin engine helicopters like Mi-17s, but has been unable to find private players from whom they can get these.

“The plan of wet leasing helicopters has become obsolete and has therefore been terminated. The new plan now is to purchase three Mi-17s and set up an air wing for the ITBP, which will consist of its own pilots and engineers. This plan is part of the modernisation proposal that is awaiting authorisation from the MHA,” sources said.

Three ITBP officers have been trained on Mi-17s at the Indian Air Force (IAF) Academy, near Hyderabad, and are now attached with the Border Security Force (BSF) Air Wing. If helicopters are purchased for the ITBP, one option is to attach these to the BSF Air Wing, which means while they will be maintained by the BSF, their services, however, will be exclusively for the ITBP. The second option is for the IAF to depute its crew to the ITBP, which retired officers could also join.

At present, the ITBP is dependant on the IAF and the BSF Air Wing for air support to its troops deployed along the India-China frontier. The ITBP currently reserves the flying hours only to transport fresh rations and casualties.

ITBP seeks 3 Mi-17 copters to man frontier with China