In a move at bolstering logistics support to remote forward posts, the Army has entered into a first-of-its-kind contract with civil aviation service providers. This contract is designed to provide helicopter support along the northern and western borders that get…

In a move at bolstering logistics support to remote forward posts, the Army has entered into a first-of-its-kind contract with civil aviation service providers. This contract is designed to provide helicopter support along the northern and western borders that get cut off during winter, official sources said on Monday.

The move, aimed at bolstering logistics support to such posts, exemplifies India’s commitment to civil-military fusion and leveraging the PM Gati Shakti initiative, they said.

Civil-military contract

Army has entered into a first-of-its-kind contract with civil aviation service providers to provide helicopter support to the force’s remote forward posts that get cut off during winter

• 16 remote posts in the Jammu region and another 28 posts in Kashmir and Ladakh will benefit from this support for 150 days next year
• The contract’s terms specify that the civil aviation service provider will manage the entire load-carrying effort required to sustain these cut-off posts
• This shift is not just about reducing costs; it is a strategic move to preserve the service life of military helicopters for more critical roles in combat or emergency scenarios

The contract, for a period of one year, will ensure that 16 remote posts in the Jammu region are sustained throughout the year, while another 28 posts in Kashmir and Ladakh will benefit from this support for 150 days next year.

The contract’s terms specify that the civil aviation service provider will manage the entire load-carrying effort required to sustain these cut-off posts. “The helicopters will ferry food, fuel, medical supplies, and other essential items, ensuring that these high-altitude positions remain fully operational and well-supplied during winter,” the source said.

The initiative marks a decisive shift in how the Army maintains its critical positions in high-altitude regions during the harsh winter months, when these areas are rendered inaccessible due to snow, the source said. One of the standout aspects of this contract is the use of “civil aviation helicopters” instead of the Army’s own aviation or Indian Air Force assets.

The use of civil aviation helicopters will reduce costs and preserve the service life of military helicopters for more critical roles in combat or emergency scenarios.

It is a strategic advancement that will boost development and open up the possibilities of further economic growth and tourism in India’s remotest regions, the officials said.

The helicopters, provided under the contract, will operate from seven bases in Ladakh, two in Kashmir, and one in the Jammu region, covering a total of 44 posts. The bases have come as part of the Border Area Development and PM Gati Shakti infrastructural development push, which focuses on building an integrated and efficient logistics network across India’s borders.

The Army’s initiative will also validate the use of civil aviation infrastructure in case of wartime contingencies, ensuring that these assets and facilities can be repurposed for military needs if required.

The Army’s plans are already in motion to expand the model to other strategic regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the North-East.

“Furthermore, this initiative has the potential to unlock the region’s tourism prospects. Civil helicopters operating in these remote areas could provide the necessary infrastructure and accessibility for tourists to explore India’s breathtaking but challenging frontier regions,” the sources said.