New Delhi: After media reports regarding grounding the entire fleet of Chinook helicopters by US Army surfaced, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has on Tuesday sought details from American defence manufacturer Boeing the reasons behind the grounding of the entire fleet, the official said.
The US Army has reportedly grounded its entire fleet of Chinook helicopters over the risk of engine fires, as per media report.
According to the report of the Wall Street Journal, it said quoting an official “The U.S. Army Materiel Command grounded the fleet of hundreds of helicopters “out of an abundance of caution,” but officials were looking at more than 70 aircraft that contained a part that is suspected to be connected to the problem.
India has about 15 CH-47 Chinook helicopters which it received the in February 2019. Further, Boeing completed the delivery of 15 Chinook helicopters to the Indian Air Force in 2020. These helicopters has played major role in airlifting major military tools and forces in places like Ladakh and Siachen glaciers.
Officials told the Wall Street Journal the US Army was aware of a small number of engine fires in the helicopters, and the incidents didn’t result in any injuries or deaths.