IAF contacts Boeing on the grounding of Chinooks by the US army

As per reports from the US media, the American Army has grounded the entire fleet of Chinooks over engine fires.

The Indian Air Force has sought details from the American aerospace company over the US Army’s grounding of the CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter.

As per reports from the US media, the American Army has grounded the entire fleet of Chinooks over engine fires. The grounding was specific to certain Boeing-made units that operate Honeywell T55 turboshaft engines. The US Army operates around 400 units of such choppers, however, 70 of these helicopters have faced issues.

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A US Army spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that the service has identified the root cause of fuel leaks that caused “a small number of engine fires among an isolated number” of the helicopters. She said the Army is taking steps to resolve the issue.

The Indian Air Force has contacted the manufacturer Boeing seeking details of the grounding.

“Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter fleet is still operational. India has sought details of the reasons which have led to the grounding of the entire fleet of US Army’s Chinook CH-47 helicopters because of a risk of engine fires,” Government officials told ANI when asked about the grounding of the American Army fleet.

Chinooks have been a battleground workhorse since the 1960s featuring in Vietnam Wars, Gulf Wars and Afghan Conflict with the Taliban.

Indian Air Force operates 15 units of the Chinook stationed at Chandigarh Air Force Station.

Chinooks have proven their capabilities by lifting and transporting heavy loads like troops, supplies, ammunition, and howitzers and helping in disaster relief.

The Chopper has aided the Indian Armed Forces with rapid deployment in the Northeast and Ladakh against Chinese aggression.