The Indian Air Force (IAF) has withdrawn all of its Mi-17 and Mi-35 attack helicopters that were deployed in the UN missions in Congo and Sudan, IAF chief air chief marshal N A K Browne said.
The withdrawal is to provide support to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) during anti-naxal and other humanitarian operations in the country.
Around 20 Mi-17s and over ten Mi-35 helicopters were deployed to provide close air support during assault operations involving ground troops participating in the UN mission.
Presently, the UN requires more helicopters to support its operations in Congo as the nation heads towards a presidential election next month.
The IAF said last month that it will send an army aviation unit, consisting of 70 personnel and six light utility Alouette III and Alouette II helicopters, to Congo’s Kivu province to provide air support for UN peacekeeping missions.
