Indian Army uses civil helicopters for border logistics under PM Gati Shakti

| Updated: 22 October, 2024 2:18 pm IST

NEW DELHI -In a landmark move aimed at enhancing logistics support to remote border areas, the Indian Army has signed a pioneering contract with civil aviation service providers to supply winter cut-off posts along India’s northern and western borders. This one-year agreement marks the first time the Army has partnered with civilian helicopters to sustain its forward posts, reflecting India’s growing focus on civil-military fusion and the government’s PM Gati Shakti initiative.

The contract will cover 16 posts in the Jammu region year-round, while an additional 28 posts in Kashmir and Ladakh will benefit from logistical support for 150 days during the harsh winter months. This shift is a strategic decision to preserve the operational life of the Army’s own helicopters for more critical military operations, ensuring military readiness while addressing essential logistics through civilian means.

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Leveraging Civil Aviation for Cost-Efficiency and Readiness
Instead of relying on Indian Army Aviation or Indian Air Force assets, the use of civil helicopters for routine supply tasks allows the military to focus its aviation fleet on mission-critical duties. This cost-effective approach helps reduce strain on military resources while ensuring that remote posts remain well-supplied with essential goods, including food, fuel, and medical supplies. The helicopters will operate from mounting bases across Ladakh, Kashmir, and Jammu, a development made possible through national programs like the Border Area Development Plan and PM Gati Shakti. These efforts have significantly improved border infrastructure, enabling civil aviation to operate in regions once accessible only by military aircraft.

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Boosting Border Development and Tourism Potential
This initiative not only strengthens the Army’s logistics capabilities but also contributes to the development of border regions. The use of civil aviation opens up new opportunities for tourism in remote areas, previously off-limits due to their inaccessibility. By increasing connectivity, the initiative is poised to enhance local infrastructure, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in regions like Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. Additionally, the Army’s partnership with civil aviation validates the potential use of civilian assets during wartime contingencies, further enhancing India’s national security framework.

Expansion Plans and Future Prospects
The success of this initiative is expected to lead to its expansion into other strategic regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast, bringing similar logistical efficiency to these critical border areas. Furthermore, the potential for tourism development in these regions aligns with the government’s long-term goals of using tourism to drive economic growth, particularly in underdeveloped areas.