Cheetah & Chetak helicopters

• The Army will start phasing out the first lot of the vintage Cheetah and Chetak helicopters from 2027 onwards on completion of their Total Technical Life (TTL) while it looks to induct the indigenous Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) in numbers to replace them, according to defence sources.

ABOUT CHETAK HELICOPTER

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Helicopter Division started manufacturing helicopters in 1962, by entering an agreement with France for production of Aloutte III helicopters (Chetak).
• The first Chetak in ‘Fly Away’ condition was delivered in 1965.
• The Chetak Helicopter is a two-ton class helicopter.
• The seven-seater Chetak helicopter is versatile, multi role, multipurpose, and spacious.
• The helicopter is suitable for commuting, cargo / material transport, casualty evacuation, Search & Rescue (SAR), Aerial Survey & Patrolling, Emergency Medical Services, Off-shore operations and Under slung operations.
• Till date, HAL has produced and sold more than 350 of these versatile Helicopters which are in service both in India and abroad

ABOUT CHEETAH HELICOPTER

• The HAL Cheetah is a licence-built version of the French Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama.
• While it is known for its capability to operate in hot tropical weather as well as high altitude conditions, it is an ageing aircraft – the SA315B Lama was first flown in 1969, over 50 years ago.
• Over the years, along with HAL Chetak, the Cheetah has developed a reputation of being unsafe, with the armed forces attempting to find upgrades for these rotorcraft.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed a licence agreement for the Lama with Aérospatiale in 1970 and christened the India made aircraft “Cheetah”.
• The first Cheetah manufactured from raw materials was delivered in 1976-77.
• Operated by both the Indian Air Force and the Army Aviation Corps, it has been used for transporting men and material, search and rescue, and reconnaissance.
• Cheetahs have especially been crucial for operations in Siachen, the world’s highest battleground at over 6,000 m.