The Aviation Corps will see expansion in the coming months with induction of drones, light combat helicopters, Apache attack choppers & replacements for Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
As tensions with China continue to simmer along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Army is focusing on increasing its surveillance and move capability and is in the process of revamping its Aviation Corps.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said the Army has set up three integrated Aviation Brigades, two of which are along the LAC.
While a new Aviation Brigade has come up under the Eastern Command, two more have been set up under the Northern and the Western Command as part of the new Order of Battle (ORBAT).
“These new Aviation Brigades are part of the rebalancing that the Army has been doing. This ensures that there is a more coordinated and localised control of the aviation assets,” a source explained.
Also, all drones operations have now been moved to the Aviation Corps from the Artillery which used to be in charge of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as part of the revamp.
These Aviation Brigades have been set up along with integrated surveillance and operations centres that continue to monitor sensitive areas round the clock, not just through the feed sent in by the drones and the helicopters but also the satellites.
Sources said a need was felt to have a more coordinated round-the-clock surveillance capability rather than just boots on the ground.
“Aviation is an integral part of the warfighting process. Better surveillance capability, advance knowledge of enemy movement and faster mobilisation is key to fighting a war,” a second source said.
Multiple forward helicopter bases have been set up along the LAC which enables the force with more options, not just for surveillance but also for troops insertion and movement of logistics.
The Army is also in the process of procuring new-age portable helipads that are user-friendly, ruggedized with scope for modularity.
