Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said induction of two Mi-17 V5 helicopters into the Border Security Force will bolster air support missions along the borders and also help in anti-Maoist operations.
Speaking at a function on induction of the two new helicopters into the BSF, he said the choppers will be used for a variety of internal security duties.
The choppers were equipped with the latest avionics and night-flying capabilities, both of which were long standing requirements of the BSF.
The BSF air wing has a fleet of four fixed-wing aircraft and 13 helicopters. It provides air support in addressing threats to internal security.
The helicopters operate from BSF air bases at Ranchi, Raipur, Agartala, Srinagar and Safdarjung airport in New Delhi.