NEW DELHI: The Indian army is set to replace the aging Chetak and Cheetah helicopters with modern light helicopters, the defence ministry indicated on Friday.The ministry issued a request for information (RFI) for 200 modern light helicopters, also known as reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters (RSH). According to the RFI, 120 of them are supposed to serve the army and the rest 80 will serve the Air Force.The RFI mentions the technical requirements and identifies potential suppliers who can supply these helicopters. According to the RFI, potential suppliers include Indian companies partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), in line with India’s aim to boost indigenous defence manufacturing under Aatmnirbhar Bharat.The helicopters are supposed to operate both in daylight and at night for reconnaissance and surveillance, search and rescue. It should be able to carry small troops and quick reaction teams along with internal and external loads for special missions, supporting ground operations, and scouting alongside attack helicopters.“IAF is pursuing indigenous production of fighters, transport, helicopters and trainer aircraft along with air-to-air weapons, air-to-ground weapons, surface-to-air guided weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles and radars,” the Defence ministry said in a report tabled in parliament this March.The report mentions the Indian air force had planned to acquire more utility helicopters including low-level radars, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Light Utility Helicopters (LUH), multirole helicopters, and leased mid-air refuelling aircraft. The cabinet committee on security had also approved the purchase of 156 light combat helicopters worth over Rs 45,000 crore from hindustan aeronautics limited (HAL) for the army and air force. These will be with the army and the air force and deployed across the China and Pakistan borders.The Cheetah and Chetak helicopters are single-engine machines of the design vintage of the 1960s and have been involved in major accidents over recent years, killing several military personnel.