Indian Army’s Cheetah Helicopter Crashes Near Leh, Officials Pose For Photo After Narrow Escape

An Indian Army Cheetah helicopter crashed near Leh, with all three officers surviving the narrow escape. The crash took place in the mountainous Tangste region.  According to reports, a lieutenant colonel and a major were piloting the single-engine chopper with passenger Major General Sachin Mehta of GoC 3 Infantry Division when the crash happened.  According to reports, the crash occurred on Wednesday but was reported late Friday. The crew and the lone passenger have suffered minor injuries. Authorities have called the incident ‘a miracle’. An investigation has been launched to probe the cause of the crash. 

India is currently in the process of replacing the Cheetah helicopter with the indigenously-made Light Utility Helicopters (LUH). The replacement was started in 2023 and will be completed by 2033 to 2035. For decades, the Indian Army has used Cheetahs and Cheetaks in the mountainous Himalayan territory. Over the years, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has produced more than 600 Cheetahs for the Indian forces. According to a 2022 report, India Cheetahs are the Indian Army uses the Cheetah helicopter to operate around the Siachen glacier in Leh. The entire fleet of helicopters is, however, completing its technical life and has led to several crashes in recent years. The helicopter has been used for reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as transportation and medical evacuation in mountainous areas. 

This is a developing story

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