Army to use civil helicopters for logistical support

The Indian Army has secured contracts worth Rs 65 crore with three civil aviation firms for the first time to deliver logistical support to 44 forward posts in J&K and Ladakh during winter when these areas become inaccessible due to snowfall. This move aims to help sustain critical posts using civil helicopters, conserving military choppers for crucial operations.

NEW DELHI: The Army for the first time has inked contracts worth Rs 65 crore with three civil aviation companies to use their helicopters to provide logistical support in terms of food, fuel and other supplies to 44 forward high-altitude posts in J&K and Ladakh , which get cut-off due to snowfall during winters. "The one-year contract was inked by the Army's Northern Command. Similar deals are under process by Central and Eastern Commands for other regions like Himachal, Uttarakhand, & North-East," an officer said Monday.

The contract will ensure that 16 remote posts in Jammu region are sustained throughout the year, while another 28 posts in Kashmir and Ladakh will benefit from this support for 150 days next year. "Kargil, Kishtwar, and Gurez are the main sectors (along LOC) that will be covered by the contract, which is a significant step towards civil-military fusion," the officer said. Use of civil helicopters for routine logistical tasks from 7 "mounting" bases in Ladakh, 2 in Kashmir, and 1 in Jammu is aimed at preserving the operational service life of military helicopters for more critical roles in combat or emergencies.

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