MHA set to acquire more helicopters, aircraft

Driven by the pressing needs of the country’s  internal security, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set  to “ strengthen”  its “air-wing”  by acquiring more utility helicopters and  aircraft.

The ministry, which has to deal with multiple tasks of internal security and border management, does not have “a structured air wing”. But the rapidly changing security environment including threats from  the Left-wing extremists, flash  terror strikes and border intrusions during peace time have forced it “to spread out its wings.”

Sources in the MHA told Deccan Herald that the proposal for expansion of the air fleet has been approved which would cater to the needs of air attack, surveillance and transport requirement of all the para-military forces.

The Border Security Forces (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been  guarding Indo-Pakistan, Indo-Ban­gladesh and Indo-China borders respectively with Ce­n­tral Reserve Police force engaged in the internal security job.

Sources said the ITBP has mainly asked for “the lift helicopters” as the force is largely operating in the hilly terrains on Chinese borders.

The CRPF  and BSF have sought additional fixed-winged aircrafts. A similar demand has been made by National Security Guards (NSG), the elite anti-terrorist strike force in the country, to make  quick moves.

“ITBP needs more attack helicopters than the force. It requires six lift helicopters B -17 helicopters as the it operates in the mountain regions,” said a top official of the force.

The CRPF has listed its need for  small helicopters for transport.