The Indian Air Force has stationed a Chinook helicopter in Uttarakhand’s Chinyalisaur, along with an emergency medical center, to assist in the rescue of 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel. The Chinook helicopter, known for its heavy lift capability, has been utilized by the Indian Air Force for rescue operations and humanitarian missions in the past.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the Chinook, explains that the helicopter’s ability to transport heavy payloads at high altitudes makes it suitable for operations in the Himalayas. While the Indian Air Force typically operates the Russian-built Mi-17 helicopters, the Chinook’s vertical-lift capabilities are more advantageous in airlifting the trapped workers. The Indian Air Force acquired 15 Chinook helicopters as part of a multi-billion dollar deal with Boeing.
The Chinook helicopter can transport up to 44 troops or 24 stretchers in one trip. If the workers need to be airlifted on stretchers, multiple trips would be required to transport them to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh. On the other hand, the Mi-17 helicopter, which has been extensively used by the Indian Air Force for humanitarian and combat airlift operations, can only accommodate around 25 troops in one trip. Airlifting the 41 trapped workers on stretchers using the Mi-17 would increase the number of trips and the time required to provide medical care at AIIMS. Therefore, considering the carrying capacity and high altitude operations, the Chinook is a better choice over the Mi-17 aircraft.
The Chinook helicopter has a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, making it the only helicopter in its class capable of flying at such heights. Its tandem rotors eliminate the need for a tail-rotor, which is used in helicopters like the Mi-17 to counteract torque and maintain stability. The tandem rotors also contribute to the Chinook’s increased weight-carrying capacity.
The Chinook helicopter has previously been instrumental in providing quick humanitarian assistance in Uttarakhand. In 2021, after a glacier burst caused a tunnel collapse in the Chamoli area, trapping over 130 workers, the Chinook helicopter was deployed to transport personnel and supplies for the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force.
Apart from rescue operations, the Chinook helicopters have also been utilized to deliver medical aid in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Boeing highlights that the Chinook has been tested in various extreme conditions globally and has demonstrated its capability to operate in the diverse conditions prevalent in the Indian subcontinent.
