‘Replacing outdated copters top priority’

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday told a group of wives of Armymen that replacing the fleet of obsolete Chetak and Cheetah helicopters was the top priority of his ministry. Representatives of the 28-member group met Parrikar at South Block and demanded that the fleet of outdated helicopters “be grounded” immediately to avoid further mishaps and putting the lives of their husbands at risk.

“As a representative of the group, I met the defence minister at 10.45 am for 25 minutes. He promised that replacing the fleet of 175-odd active choppers is the priority of his ministry and added that hunt is on for looking for an option for these choppers and the choppers will be replaced soon,” advocate Meenal Bhosale, founder member of the group said after the meeting.

The Army Wives Agitation Group, which comprises wives of officers belonging to Army Aviation Corps (AAC), had earlier filed an online petition seeking grounding of the obsolete fleet.

Wives of two officers who lost their lives in chopper crashes in Bareily and Nasik are also members of the group.

Source:: Indian Express