India to replace ageing Chetak and Cheetah fleet, launch hunt for 200 new light helicopters
India's Defence Ministry has issued a fresh request for information to replace its decades-old Chetak and Cheetah helicopters with 200 modern reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters. Of these, 120 will serve the Army and 80 the Air Force. The new fleet will operate day and night, handling missions from troop transport to high-altitude reconnaissance. The move follows long delays and failed procurement attempts, with current choppers facing safety, serviceability, and outdated technology issues. Officials expect phased induction to begin from 2027.
Agencies File photo The Defence Ministry has begun the process to phase out the ageing Chetak and Cheetah helicopters, which have been in service since the 1960s, by acquiring 200 modern reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters (RSH). The requirement is split between 120 for the Indian Army and 80 for the Air Force.
In its request for information, the ministry said, 'The defence ministry intends to urgently replace the fleet of existing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters with suitable light helicopters of modern design.'
As reported by TOI, the RFI aims to define technical specifications, decide the procurement route, and shortlist vendors. The ministry is open to proposals from Indian companies working alone or in partnership with foreign original equipment manufacturers.The new RSHs are expected to handle a range of missions in both daylight and darkness. These include reconnaissance, troop transport for special operations, carrying internal and external loads, casualty evacuation, and search and rescue. They will also perform a 'scout role' alongside attack helicopters and provide support to civil authorities when required.According to the RFI, the helicopters must be capable of operating in varied terrains, including high-altitude and forward areas, where the current fleet has long been a lifeline for troops.
The acquisition plan comes as the Air Force moves ahead with a broader procurement programme for 2025–26. Parliamentary records show the list includes low-level radars, Light Combat Aircraft, Light Utility Helicopters, multirole helicopters, and leased mid-air refuelling aircraft.The Cabinet Committee on Security has separately approved the purchase of 156 Light Combat Helicopters worth over Rs 45,000 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. These will be deployed by both the Army and Air Force along the China and Pakistan borders.The armed forces have been pressing for new light helicopters for more than two decades to replace around 350 Chetak and Cheetah machines. Despite repeated warnings over safety and maintenance concerns, earlier attempts failed to deliver.In 2015, India signed an agreement with Russia to produce 200 Kamov-226T helicopters under a Make in India arrangement, but the deal collapsed over pricing and other disputes.Defence officials told The Times of India that the 200 RSHs will be in addition to the 187 Light Utility Helicopters already on order from HAL. 'Progressive induction of these new LUHs will see the Army finally begin to retire its old Cheetahs and Chetaks from 2027 onwards,' an officer said, adding that the process could take about a decade.The single-engine Chetak and Cheetah helicopters have been the backbone of operations in remote and high-altitude locations for decades. But they lack modern avionics, safety systems, and glass cockpits that help pilots maintain situational awareness in poor weather and low visibility.Their design dates back to the 1960s, and over the years they have been involved in several fatal crashes, claiming the lives of many military personnel. Poor serviceability has further reduced their reliability, making the need for replacement urgent.The Defence Ministry's report to Parliament underlined its push for domestic manufacturing, stating, 'IAF is pursuing indigenous production of fighters, transport, helicopters and trainer aircraft along with air-to-air weapons, air-to-ground weapons, surface-to-air guided weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles and radars.'Officials say the new RSH project, along with other pending helicopter programmes, will support jobs and strengthen India's aerospace sector if executed on schedule.(With inputs from TOI)
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