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US Army grounds entire Chinook helicopter fleet

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    World Affairs
  • Published
    3rd Sep, 2022

Context

The US Army has grounded its fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters after finding the helicopter to be at risk of engine fires. 

  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) also operates a fleet of Chinook Helicopters.

What are Chinook helicopters?

  • The US Army operates around 400 Chinook helicopters.
  • Chinook helicopters are known to be the icons of US wars from Vietnam to the Middle East.
  • The Chinooks, originally known as the CH-47 are in service across the US armed forces as well as in nearly 20 countries including India.
  • These medium-lift, multi-role helicopters are manufactured by Boeing who perform a variety of tasks in support of Army operations.

What implications does this development have for Indian Air Force (IAF)?

  • The IAF operates a fleet of 15 Chinook helicopters and it has not grounded them as it awaits more word on the US development.
  • The Chinooks were inducted into the IAF in 2019 in a ceremony at Chandigarh.
    • One Helicopter Unit of Chinooks is based in Chandigarh
    • The other is based at Mohanbari air base in Assam.

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