You ask too many intelligent questions...vivek_ahuja wrote:Rohitvats,
I think it would be enlightening to clearly list out what the Indian Army considers its attack helicopter needs in its "Heavy" and "Light" classes. Is this distinction based on some firepower/range/protection metric? Or is it more philosophical?
Jokes apart - Credit needs to be given to IAF to formulate a requirement for attack helicopter which could be deployed in high-altitude areas. And this learning came from being unable to deploy Mi-24/35 in Kargil.
There is no written document to support this but it is my guesstimate that when LCH requirement was firmed up by IAF, they primarily had high-altitude deployment in mind. Along with other areas outside of Strike Corps. IAF requirement for 65 LCH points me to this direction. That's about 6 squadron worth of attack helicopters.
For deployment in plains, IAF and IA would be looking for an out and out tank-killer - something which can take out PA armor during our attack or blunt any armor offensive by the enemy into sensitive areas like Chicken's Neck. After all, present units work with our Strike Corps or cover sensitive corridors.
As for light versus heavy - since IAF has been operating Mi-24/35 for plains, it would not have been too difficult to sell a requirement for replacement of these 'heavy' gunships with another newer 'heavy gunships'.
IMO, final numbers being procured are a function of giving 'something' to USA as a quid-pro-quo. Senior ex-AAC officer are on record that MOD asked IA to formulate its own requirement for Apache helicopters after a decision was taken that first 22 Apaches will go to IAF. So, this was more like a windfall for the Army Aviation Corps.
And for the Indian Army:
- Attack: Apache (desert/Punjab) (61+) / LCH (Mountains) (114+) ?
Specifically for IA - 39 Apaches with Strike Corps. 114 LCH to be distributed to rest of Pivot Corps. Into this calculation, also add 70-80 planned number of WSI-Dhruv. - Recon: LCH (in all terrains) (114+)
- Recce & Observation (R&O) flights in our case consist of Cheetah helicopters. These shall be replaced with LUH/Ka-266 when they enter service. We don't have an armed recce version or even Kiowa type with specific R&O equipment. But I've read literature where demand for these types to have capability for transmitting real time information has been presented.
- R&O is a very big category for the IA. It undertakes multiple roles from artillery observation, communication, limited troop movement, CASEVAC to ferrying senior officers. IA perspective plan calls for R&O unit for each division. And in some cases, for independent brigades as well. As present, a R&O Squadron at Corps level has its flights distributed between individual divisions in the Corps. - Utility: Dhruv / LUH
- LUH falls under R&O category as mentioned earlier.
- Dhruv is the main utility helicopter of the army. - Cargo: Mi-17 / Chinook
- IAF presently controls Mi-17 and will control the future induction of Chinooks as well.
- In AAC's scheme of things, they would like to control Mi-17 and place then under Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB). A CAB is envisaged for each Corps HQ.
- If allowed, IA wants 4-5 Chinook squadrons of about 10-12 units each. These would be placed at Command HQ level and allow a theater commander to move a battalion worth of troops within the theater.
- As mentioned earlier, IA wants a Combat Aviation Brigade for each Corps HQ.Questions:
- What are your comments on the Recon versus Attack roles envisaged by the IA? How do these differ in the Indian context?
- If recon does not equal attack (in the Indian context), how will the LCH force be split between them? Specialized squadrons?
- Is the IA looking at LCH only as a recon heli?
- Is LUH going to play a role in recon?
- This CAB will have a mix of attack helicopters, R&O squadrons and light+medium lift helicopters.
- But AAC does not control any medium lift helicopters. They want 1 x Mi-17 type for each Corps HQ. And Chinook at Command HQ level. This spread stems from effort to build capability to lift an infantry company at Corps level, battalion at Command HQ level and a whole brigade at AHQ level.
- Both LUH and Ka-226 fall under R&O category as well AAC.
- Apart from Apaches, both LCH and WSI-Dhruv will together hold the mantle of attack helicopters. 114 + 80 represents a very powerful punch and a capability which hitherto we did not have. This is about 18+ squadron worth of attack helicopters. Expect each of our Corps to have 1 x attack helicopter squadron. Some might have two.
- In fact, to these 114 LCH, add 65 from IAF as well.
Hope the above helps!