The Indian Air Force has sought a report from US defence manufacturer Boeing regarding the US Army's decision to ground its entire fleet of Chinook helicopters.
The IAF acquired 15 Chinook helicopters from the US and inducted them into service in 2019. The Indian fleet operates from Chandigarh and Assam for operations in respective regions.
ANI quoting a government official reported, “Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter fleet is still operational. India has sought details of the reasons which have led to the grounding of the entire fleet of US Army's Chinook CH-47 helicopters because of a risk of engine fires.”
The Wall Street Journal which reported about the grounding of the US fleet quoted US officials saying, US Army was aware of a small number of engine fires in the helicopters, and the incidents didn't result in any injuries or deaths.
"The U.S. Army Materiel Command grounded the fleet of hundreds of helicopters out of an abundance of caution,” the publication reported. According to the report, officials were looking at more than 70 aircraft that contained a part suspected to be connected to the problem.
The grounding of the heavy-lift Chinook helicopters could pose logistical challenges for American soldiers, depending on how long the order lasts, the Journal said. The US Army has about 400 such helicopters in its fleet.
(With inputs from PTI)
