SOURCE: AFI
For the first time in its history, the Indian Army has integrated civil helicopters into its logistics framework to bolster troop support, cargo delivery, and casualty evacuation in remote and inaccessible regions. This strategic partnership with Himalayan Heli Services marks a transformative shift in how the Army sustains operations in challenging terrains, particularly in the harsh winter months.
As per Army sources, the contract focuses on providing helicopter support to maintain winter cut-off posts along India’s Northern and Western borders. Over the course of a year, these civil helicopters will play a pivotal role in sustaining 16 remote posts in the Jammu region throughout the year. 28 posts in Kashmir and Ladakh during a critical 150-day period next year, when extreme snow and ice render traditional logistics routes impassable.
This new approach is vital for ensuring uninterrupted supply lines and operational readiness in high-altitude regions where conventional methods face severe challenges due to weather and terrain. The helicopters under this contract will operate from a network of bases strategically located to optimize coverage across the Northern and Western borders in Seven bases in Ladakh, Two bases in Kashmir and One base in the Jammu region. These operations will collectively support 44 high-altitude posts, ensuring essential supplies and troop rotations during the harshest months.