BSF's " Dhruv "chopper lies idle due to lack of Pilot

[arnabmit]

BSF’s ” Dhruv “chopper lies idle due to lack of Pilot | idrw.org

A battle-ready Border Security Force (BSF) 'Dhruv' helicopter, deployed for undertaking sorties to aid anti-Naxalite operations, is lying idle for close to six months at the military hangar in the Raipur airport. Apparently, authorities are not able to find a pilot to fly the machine.

The air wing of the ministry of home affairs (MHA), already hard-pressed for rationalising sorties for air support missions in Maoist violence-affected states, is in talks with helicopter company Pawan Hans to find a principal pilot for the machine.


The chopper, an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) 'Dhruv' manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has been embossed with the BSF logo and colours and carries the registration number VT-HAA.

"MHA and BSF are looking for a pilot to fly the machine but nothing has worked out till now. The co-pilot and other technicians are in place. This is unfortunate but the issue is being resolved," top sources dealing with anti-Naxalite air operations said. BSF has also approached HAL in this regard while it expects that a suitable candidate from the Indian Air Force or an ex-Air Force pilot could come in. Force commanders working in the anti-Naxalite operations grid have expressed their concern and an urgent desire to fly the idle chopper as they are heavily constrained to cater to air support sorties for almost 85,000 troops of central forces and others with the help of about eight helicopters at present.

"At a given time, only five to six choppers are available for operations as the others have to undergo servicing and overhauling procedures. Also, every IAF helicopter has an 80-hour per month flying cap. Even one chopper added to the fleet will help us in aiding many wounded troops or send in reinforcements during ambushes with Naxalites," a senior official said.

The MHA air wing, tasked for anti-Maoist operations, has four Mi-17 helicopters of IAF while another four ALH 'Dhruv' are part of the BSF air wing. The bases for these helicopters are mainly in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) .

The choppers are the most vital machines when it comes to air insertion of troops for deployment, casualty evacuation and sending reinforcements to assist anti-Naxalite operations.

 

[noob101]

This is just sad.... I was thinking "dose the BSF have enough air craft?".... now the problem is pilots.... BTW why in the world are they contracting to some private company .... can't the BSF send some cadets for helo training... Im sure the IAF or IA would train 10 pilots every year for the BSF and until then are there no pilots that the IAF or IA could loan to the BSF?

 

[Armand2REP]

So use that one while another is down for maintenance. Why is it just sitting there?

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Maybe IAF pilot could be seconded to BSF.

Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: IAF Dhruv pilots begin training at HATSOFF; Ecuador pilots with presidential fleet complete session

 

[Rahul Singh]

CPFs need to modernize themselves quickly and shall introduce Pilot training course for in service officers ready to volunteer for flying duties, instead of keep trying to commission a commercial licence holder civilian.

Anti naxal operations are highly hazardous and rarely a civilian will opt for such low paid public service duty after having spent huge chunk of wealth after Pilot course fee, especially leaving lucrative prospects in civilian sector.

 

[IBRIS]

with the population of billion plus we are having hard time finding and training chopper pilots. There are about 30 young men in their 20's in my village are all college graduates are just sitting around wasting there youth and patrol all day.

 

[Rahul Singh]

ask them to fill UPSC CPF exam form.............

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Maintence lack of Pilots and many others..