IAF may deploy up to 100 aircraft for vaccine delivery

The Indian Air Force is formulating a strategy to assist the government in delivering Covid-19 vaccines across India once they are rolled out.

According to sources, the IAF intends to activate as many as 100 aircraft for COVID-19 vaccine delivery.

Sources said the IAF has determined the modalities of transport aircraft for airlifting of the COVID-19 vaccine, the centres of vaccine delivery and the type and number of helicopters for 'last point delivery'. 

According to sources, the IAF intends to activate as many as 100 aircraft for COVID-19 vaccine delivery.

Sources said the IAF has determined the modalities of transport aircraft for airlifting of the COVID-19 vaccine, the centres of vaccine delivery and the type and number of helicopters for 'last point delivery'. 

Detailing the possible roadmap, sources said cargo aircraf like C-17 Globemaster, C-136J Super Hercules and IL-76 will be deployed. AN-32 and Dornier aircraft will be used for smaller centres.

Light and medium-lift helicopters will be protected as a third link. Helicopters such as ALH, Chinook, Cheetah and Chetak will play an important role.

Detailing the possible roadmap, sources said cargo aircraf like C-17 Globemaster, C-136J Super Hercules and IL-76 will be deployed. AN-32 and Dornier aircraft will be used for smaller centres.

Light and medium-lift helicopters will be protected as a third link. Helicopters such as ALH, Chinook, Cheetah and Chetak will play an important role.

PM: Vaccine just weeks away
The IAF operation plan comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent announcement during the all-party meeting on the Covid-19 pandemic that a vaccine was just weeks away from being rolled out.

The prime minister also said that healthcare workers involved in treating Coronavirus patients, frontline workers like police personnel and municipal staff, and old people suffering from serious conditions would be inoculated on priority.

PM: Vaccine just weeks away
The IAF operation plan comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent announcement during the all-party meeting on the Covid-19 pandemic that a vaccine was just weeks away from being rolled out.

The prime minister also said that healthcare workers involved in treating Coronavirus patients, frontline workers like police personnel and municipal staff, and old people suffering from serious conditions would be inoculated on priority.