The CH-47 Chinook is an advanced multi-mission heavy lift helicopter used by defence forces globally. Known for its tandem rotor design allowing high manoeuvrability, the Chinook has exceptional high altitude performance. India signed an agreement to acquire 15 Chinook helicopters from the United States in 2015.
Technical Features
Some salient technical features of the Chinook helicopter:
- Twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy lift helicopter
- Manufactured by Vertol division of Boeing, hence the model designation of CH-47
- Distinctive design with rotors, powerplants and cargo section at rear end
- Equipped with Honeywell T55 turbo shaft engines with advanced FADEC system
- Rigid rotor system minimises vibrations enabling smooth flight even at high speeds
Roles and Capabilities
Chinook’s versatility allows it to fulfil diverse operational objectives:
- Strategic airlift operations like rapid deployment of military assets including artillery, vehicles etc.
- Transportation of material and personnel to high altitude areas
- Combat search and rescue operations
- Medical evacuation (medevac) and disaster relief missions
- Airborne operations for special forces including slithering commandos
Cargo Attributes
- Flexible cabin cargo capacity between 10 to 55 troops
- Triple hook cargo loading system allowing heavy under slung loads up to 12,000 kgs
- Cargo handling winch fitted for special payloads like artillery, combat vehicles etc.
Chinook Acquisition by India
- 2015 deal worth $1.5 billion for 15 Chinooks along with 22 Apache attack helicopters
- Improved CH-47F (Foxtrot) variant acquired equipped with advanced avionics
- Inducted in March 2019 with first four units; rest delivered till early 2020
- Deployed for critical high altitude missions in Ladakh and airlift of supplies to infrastructure projects
Key Specifications
| Specifications | Details |
| Crew & Capacity | 2 pilots + 1 loadmaster / 55 combat troops |
| Overall Length | 30.18 m |
| Rotor Diameter | 18.29 m |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 22,680 kg |
| Top Speed | 170 knots |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 feet |
Recent Deployments
Chinook detachments have been deployed for various crucial activities:
- Endurance resupply runs to frontline bases in high altitude areas of Eastern Ladakh
- Airlift of soldiers and specialist equipment to forward locations
- Transportation of components, machinery for key infrastructure projects
- Humanitarian relief including essential supplies to remote, disaster hit regions.
- In 2022, Chinooks were deployed for supporting construction of key Rohtang Tunnel infrastructure by transporting machinery.
- According to defence ministry reports, a combined fleet of 11 Chinooks has ferried over 1.5 lakh kgs of cargo which includes critical supplies for Army forward posts in past one year.
- In January 2023, an advanced Field Repair Depot was inaugurated in Assam for servicing and maintenance support of deployed Chinook fleet.
- Chinook helicopter squadrons are actively assisting the Garuda series of joint military exercises between Indian and French forces.
Future Plans
- Current fleet of 15 units likely to be increased by Ministry of Defence with plans to acquire 10 more Chinooks by 2025.
- There is a proposals to integrate high-power jammers and missile countermeasure systems on existing and follow-on Chinook fleet tailored for respective operational roles.
- Induction of additional units equipped with specialized configurations like refueling pods, retractable cannon etc. being considered based on emerging requirements.
With its beefy lift capacity and high altitude performance, Chinook has become a critical heavy lift asset for India augmenting strategic air mobility.
- Its roles ranging from logistics to medevac demonstrate operational readiness across various mission environments.
- Rising India-US defence partnerships as underlined by platforms like the Chinook underscores critical force multipliers powering India’s comprehensive national security infrastructure overall.
