Helicopters circle Delhi skies

From the archive record

Indian Air Force Helicopters carrying the tricolour and three services flags during Republic Day celebration in India. The Indian Air Force has been steadily stockpiling a large collection of aircraft since its independence from Britain in 1947. The IAF's helicopter fleet has steadily increased in numbers over the past few years, blossoming from a handful of U.S. types in the 60s to over 500 French, Indian and Soviet built types. The pride of the force is, undoubtedly, the Mi-26 heavy lift helicopter which has been operated by No. 126 HU with outstanding results in the mountains of Northern India. The bulk of rotorcraft are Medium Lift Helicopters (MI-17/MI-17IV/MI-17V5 and Mi-8s) well over two hundred of these types serving in helicopter units through out the country, playing a vital logi