US Army grounds entire Chinook helicopter fleet

Context

The US Army has grounded its fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters after finding the helicopter to be at risk of engine fires. 

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) also operates a fleet of Chinook Helicopters.
  
  

What are Chinook helicopters?

• The US Army operates around 400 Chinook helicopters.
• Chinook helicopters are known to be the icons of US wars from Vietnam to the Middle East.
• The Chinooks, originally known as the CH-47 are in service across the US armed forces as well as in nearly 20 countries including India.
• These medium-lift, multi-role helicopters are manufactured by Boeing who perform a variety of tasks in support of Army operations.

What implications does this development have for Indian Air Force (IAF)?

• The IAF operates a fleet of 15 Chinook helicopters and it has not grounded them as it awaits more word on the US development.
• The Chinooks were inducted into the IAF in 2019 in a ceremony at Chandigarh.
  • One Helicopter Unit of Chinooks is based in Chandigarh
  • The other is based at Mohanbari air base in Assam.