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karatecatman · Guest

India to equip para-military forces with air power

NEW DELHI, April 3 (Xinhua)

India has decided to equip its para-military forces with air power in the wake of threats to Indian airports and the Mumbai terror attacks last November, a senior Indian Home Ministry official said Friday. ‘‘The five main para-military forces -- the Border Security Force, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Assam Rifles and the elite commando force, the National Security Guards -- would soon be given eight multi-utility light Dhruv helicopters to boost their operations in harsh terrains and in difficult situations like a terrorist attack on the country,’’ the official said, on condition of anonymity.
The Home Ministry has already signed a 3500 million rupee (70 million U.S. dollars) deal with the country’s chopper manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the southern Indian city of Bangalore.
‘‘While four chopper would be allocated to the para-military forces this month, the remaining four would be handed over to them later this year or early next year,’’ he said.
Dhruv is a multi-utility advanced light helicopter fitted with night-vision equipment. ‘‘At present, the para-military forces borrow helicopters from the Indian armed forces or sometimes from private operators during an operation. Their own chopper would given them an edge to conduct an operation without waiting for outside helicopters to arrive for their use,’’ the official said.

shivendrashukla · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject:

I don't know.. but I think this move is more of to push the sales of the helicopter up rather than any security related thing. Just my 2 cents...

Cheers
Shivendra