India to deliver two Cheetah helicopters to Afghanistan

[SajeevJino]

India to deliver two Cheetah helicopters to Afghanistan​

According to reports, India will deliver two helicopters to Afghan security forces next month, as part of its support to reconstruct the Afghan national security forces.

Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bangalore, the Cheetah choppers would be used for reconnaissance purposes, sources quoted by local media agencies said.

India is also considering to send its military trainers to the newly opened Afghan National Army Officers Academy apart from deploying technicians to run an old military hardware maintenance facility in the war-ravaged country.

Kabul envoy to New Delhi, Shaida M Abdali said Afghan Government was keen on India joining Russia to revive and run an old Soviet-era military maintenance facility in Afghanistan.

New Delhi is also studying the fresh proposal from president Haid Karzai's administration to provide lethal weapons to Afghan security forces.

President Hami Karzai is expected to visit India within the next few days to meet with the Indian officials including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, where Karzai is expected to discuss the proposal.

"They (Karzai and Singh) will examine efforts to be undertaken by both sides to ensure the protection of our shared national security interests," Abdali quoted by local news agency Deccan Herald said.

Abdali also added, "In the coming months and years, regardless of who leads our two countries, we should work together to outline contours of our security and defense cooperation in tangible ways for implementation."

Currently India is providing training to 350 Afghan army officers, and around 1,400 Afghan National Army officers were trained in Indian institutions since 2003.


Defence News - India to deliver two Cheetah helicopters to Afghanistan

 

[vicky sen]

Good move. We will need to support them extensively once U.S pulls out and keep PAK away

 

[nirranj]

India Should start basing Militery trainers (Handlers) and repair and maintenance staff in afghanistan. Time for elephant to venture into the Afghan landscape.

 

[datguy79]

Eh...we already have MD530F. I don't know how we are going to use these. Anyway, it is still good that something was initiated. Hopefully it will be expanded under Modi.

 

[hitesh]

AF should not expect much form Indian in terms of weapons as Pak will pressurise US to not allow India to do so and secondly india does't have much to offer all they can do is donate some old T55 tanks,trucks,and some LUH like cheetah .ALH would be too costly to just give at free of cost and not be feasible for AF to buy 1-2 ALH.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

MD530f Cannot operate at extreme heights, Where Cheetahs can operate ..

These light birds can call for arty / motar strike to anything moving over white terrain, Its not easy to run and hide over vast snow covered mountains..

I don't know how we are going to use these. Hopefully it will be expanded under Modi.

 

[datguy79]

AF should not expect much form Indian in terms of weapons as Pak will pressurise US to not allow India to do so and secondly india does't have much to offer all they can do is donate some old T55 tanks,trucks,and some LUH like cheetah .ALH would be too costly to just give at free of cost and not be feasible for AF to buy 1-2 ALH.

It is not that we can't afford it. It is that Karzai will squeeze out the free maal as much as he can.

The US recently cancelled the purchase of transport helicopters from Russia. I think this is a good chance for India to swoop in for the contract.

 

[nirranj]

AF should not expect much form Indian in terms of weapons as Pak will pressurise US to not allow India to do so and secondly india does't have much to offer all they can do is donate some old T55 tanks,trucks,and some LUH like cheetah .ALH would be too costly to just give at free of cost and not be feasible for AF to buy 1-2 ALH.

Post US withdrawal, Pakistan has no leverage with them. Pakistan is losing its grip on the US decision making in regards with India. India is now the Elephant in the room, No body can deny that and nobody can challenge that.

ALH's will be the right start, Along with some LCH for mountain warfare.

India should have handlers and technical crew based in Afghanistan.

 

[cloud]

Post US withdrawal, Pakistan has no leverage with them. Pakistan is losing its grip on the US decision making in regards with India. India is now the Elephant in the room, No body can deny that and nobody can challenge that.

ALH's will be the right start, Along with some LCH for mountain warfare.

India should have handlers and technical crew based in Afghanistan.

I think if we get the deal good enough to make the price break even or some good discount, still it will be useful, as I doubt that our LCH will see a fight for a long time. keeping aside the other facts, that AF's political stability have benefits for India, we would test these machine first hand on the field, which will give us more chance to refine the tactics and machine as well.

 

[hitesh]

why on the earth would AF buy LCH that has yet to be operational and they would most preferably go for modified Mi28 gunship or cobra/viper that US would easily provide them free of cost .The bottom line is India should work with AF to re create an intelligence network that was once build by KGB .RAW & KHAD should work together to deal with there common enemy the ISI who has i good grip over there during the Taliban era and still holds its ground .AF knows it too that once the US and allied forces leave from AF ,Pak will start building its influence there which would not be in the interest of AF or India.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Afgan friends were offered Rudra, They did considered buying once mass production is on ..

ALH will be in Afgan airforces ..

I think if we get the deal good enough to make the price break even or some good discount, still it will be useful, as I doubt that our LCH will see a fight for a long time. keeping aside the other facts, that AF's political stability have benefits for India, we would test these machine first hand on the field, which will give us more chance to refine the tactics and machine as well.

 

[afghan]

good news..