IAF modifies Mi-17 helicopters for locust control spray

Chandigarh based 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the city-based Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) have developed an indigenous control system for two Mi-17 helicopters for spraying atomised pesticides to arrest locust breeding.

IAF officials Wednesday said that anticipating a locust attack, the Ministry of Agriculture had signed a contract with M/s Micron, UK in May this year to modify two Mi-17 helicopters for spraying atomised pesticide. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK based firm would be able to manufacture and supply the modification kit to IAF only from September 2020 onward for system integration and testing.