According to Swarajyamag, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopter has successfully flown a non-stop 1,910 km mission between Chandigarh and Jorhat in Assam.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi, this is the longest non-stop helicopter sortie in India.
The Chinook completed the sortie in 7 hours and 30 minutes.
The heavy-lift helicopter has already undertaken non-stop missions between Chandigarh and Jorhat.
The same distance was travelled in April of this year by a Chinook aircraft between Chandigarh and Jorhat.
The Indian Air Force’s operational planning and execution, combined with the Chinook’s capabilities, made the operation possible, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence at the time. It also stated that the Indian Air Force’s “rapid mobility will enable it to employ this asset optimally as required.”
“Chinook is a versatile, vertical lift platform that can move both people and goods.
Additionally, it is crucial to humanitarian and disaster relief efforts “declared the ministry in April.
15 Ch-47F(I) Chinook transport helicopters are owned by India.
The Narendra Modi administration agreed to buy the helicopters in a 2015 contract.
In the midst of the protracted standoff in eastern Ladakh, Chinooks have been crucial in keeping Indian forces on the front lines.
These helicopters, which are based at the Air Force Station in Chandigarh, are capable of carrying 45 fully armed soldiers or about 11 tonnes of cargo.
Additionally, the M777 ultra light howitzer, a 155 mm artillery cannon introduced for service on the China front, can be carried by the Chinooks as an underslung payload.