Army to expand and modernise aviation

There is also a plan to outsource the training abroad

NASHIK: Laying the foundation stone for the first army war memorial and museum that will be coming up at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CATS) in Nashik,
Lt Gen KS Jamwal, AVSM, VSM, ADC GOC-in-C, Eastern command and Colonel Commandant, army aviation corps, said that Army aviation is moving towards expanding the cadre as well as modernising the elite force.

Speaking about modernisation of the force, Lt Gen Jamwal said, “Army aviation corps is the elite combat arm of the Indian army. It will play an important role in aspects of mobility and fire power and for this reason the up gradation of the force is in progress.”

The modernisation will also call for expansion and increasing of the cadre which will need more training facilities”. He said the plan to replace the age-old Chetak and Cheetah helicopters used for training by some modern hepters.

“We have demanded for more helicopters for training and also to add to the force. We are increasing the intake capacity of trainees and are also looking at outsourcing the training, even abroad,” Lt Gen Jamwal added.

As part of the reunion, the dare devils of the army aviation corps will display an air show and demonstrate the operational utility of the elite force on Thursday, in the presence of Gen (Retd) SF Rodrigues, PVSM, VSM, Governor of Punjab, many high ranking officers and veteran aviators.