Explained: Why has the US grounded its Chinook helicopters, and what it means for India

What has been the reaction of the manufacturers to this development?

While Boeing has not commented on the matter as yet, The Wall Street Journal states that the issue is with the engine manufactured by Honeywell International Inc. A spokesperson of the company was quoted as saying that some components of the engine, known as O-rings, were not as per the design specifications.

What implications does this development have for 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 IAF is learnt to have sought more information from the US about the grounding of the helicopters done by the US Army. The Chinooks were inducted into the IAF in 2019 in a ceremony at Chandigarh. One Helicopter Unit of Chinooks is based in Chandigarh while the other is based at Mohanbari airbase in Assam.