Three Indian Army officers survived with minor injuries from a helicopter crash in Tangtse sector near Leh on May 20. A post-crash selfie taken by one of the officers has gone viral on the internet, drawing attention to the safety of the aging fleet of India’s Cheetah helicopters that operate at the military zone of the highest altitude in the world.
The army officers, one identified as Division Commander Major General Sachin Mehta of the GoC 3 Infantry Division and two pilots were seen smiling for the selfie, despite being in pain from the crash, and are winning the hearts of netizens and citizens.
The Indian Army has launched a court inquiry to determine the cause of the helicopter mishap. The Indian Army is yet to provide a statement regarding the issue.
Derived from the French Aérospatiale Alouette II helicopter, the Cheetah and the Cheetal family of lightweight, single engine choppers are used by the Indian Army in high altitude terrains since the 1970s (Cheetals from the 1990s), with Hindustan Aeronauticals Limited manufacturing them.
Meanwhile, the safety concerns around the reconnaissance helicopter still remain. It highlights the risks of using a design that is half a century old in extremely rugged terrain and weather conditions, putting the lives of Indian troops in danger.
Army Wives Agitation Group (AWAG), the organisation formed by the bereaved families of Indian Army officers who lost lives on duty have been pushing the government to replace them with newer and safer choppers. According to the organisation, 31 military pilots have lost their lives between the span of five years (2017-2022).
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