| No. 111 Helicopter Unit | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 August 1963- Present |
| Country |  Republic of India |
| Branch |  Indian Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Bareilly AFS |
| Nickname(s) | "Snow Tigers" |
| Motto(s) | Apatsu Mitram A friend in time of need |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | HAL Dhruv MKIII |
No. 111 Helicopter Unit (Snow Tigers) is a Helicopter Unit and is equipped with HAL Dhruv MKIII and based at Bareilly Air Force Station. [1]
The unit created a world record for the highest landing by a HAL Cheetah helicopter at an altitude of 23,250 ft.
On 8 February 2012, this Helicopter Unit was re-equipped with the latest HAL Dhruv MKIII. [2]
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bangalore (Bengaluru), India. It is governed under the management of the Indian Ministry of Defence. The government-owned corporation is primarily involved in the operations of the aerospace and is currently involved in the design, fabrication and assembly of aircraft, jet engines, helicopters and their spare parts.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks fourth amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honoured India's aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal. After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of Dominion of India. With the government's transition to a Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed.
The HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The development of HAL Dhruv was announced in November 1984. The helicopter first flew in 1992; however, its development was prolonged due to multiple factors including the Indian Army's requirement for design changes, budget restrictions, and sanctions placed on India following the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. The name comes from a Sanskrit origin word dhruv which means unshakeable or firm.
The Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama is a French single-engined helicopter developed to meet hot and high operational requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. It combines the lighter Aérospatiale Alouette II airframe with Alouette III components and powerplant. The Lama possesses exceptional high altitude performance.
The HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is an Indian multi-role attack helicopter designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is the world's lightest modern attack helicopter and its flight ceiling is the highest among all attack helicopters. It has been ordered for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. The type is also intended to be sold upon the export market; since 2015, HAL has been seeking other customers for the LCH.
No. 6 Squadron (Dragons) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Jaguar IM/IS and based at Jamnagar Air Force Station.
The Western Air Command (WAC) is the regional command of Indian Air Force headquartered in New Delhi. It is the largest and most important Air Command of the IAF, comprising sixteen Air Force Bases (AFBs), and is responsible for aerial defence of North India.
The Indian Air Force has been undergoing a modernization program to replace and upgrade its aging and outdated equipment since the late 90s to modern standards. For that reason it has started procuring and developing aircraft, weapons, associated technologies, and infrastructures. Some of these programs date back to the late 80s. The primary focus of current modernization and upgrades is to replace aircraft purchased from the Soviet Union that currently form the backbone of the Air Force.
No. 28 Squadron, Indian Air Force, nicknamed The First Supersonics is a squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is currently based in Jamnagar, Gujarat with South Western Air Command and flies Mikoyan MiG-29s.
Sulur Air Force Station is an air base of the Indian Air Force located at Sulur near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. It is India's Second Largest Air Base after Hindon AFS. It is the base which is responsible for protection of India's Sea area. It is only Base in India which handles Both Fighter and Transport flights at one location, no other base in India is Equipped to do so. It is only IAF BASE in India to have all Departments at one location i.e Fighters, Carrier Planes, Carrier Helicopters, Attack Choppers, A Repair and Overhauling Depot, TETTRA School, Air Force Hospital, Southern Command Sub Headquarters, ECHS. It is a former Royal Navy and Indian Navy base.
No. 18 Squadron, is an air-defence unit of the Indian Air Force, flying from Sulur Air Force Station. The squadron is equipped with indigenous HAL Tejas in FOC configuration.
No. 30 Squadron (Rhinos) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Su-30MKI and based at Lohegaon Air Force Station as part of South Western Air Command.
No. 32 Squadron (Thunderbirds) is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21Bison and based at Jodhpur Air Force Station as part of South Western Air Command.
No. 101 Squadron (Falcons) is a fighter squadron which is to be equipped with Dassault Rafale and based at Hasimara Air Force Station.
No. 220 Squadron is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Su-30 MKIs and based at Halwara Air Force Station.
No. 104 Helicopter Squadron is a fighter squadron and is equipped with Mil Mi-35 and based at Suratgarh Air Force Station.
No. 112 Helicopter Unit (Thoroughbreds) is a Helicopter Unit and is equipped with Mil Mi-8 based at Yelahanka AFS.
No. 114 Helicopter Unit is a Helicopter Unit and is equipped with HAL Cheetah and based at Leh Air Force Station.
No. 115 Helicopter Unit is a Helicopter Unit and is equipped with HAL Dhruv and based at Tezpur Air Force Station.
No. 117 Helicopter Unit is a Helicopter Unit and is equipped with ALH MK-III and based at Sarsawa Air Force Station.
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