IAF's Apache attack helicopter makes emergency landing at Madhya Pradesh's village | Watch
1 min read 29 May 2023, 10:30 AM ISTAn Apache attack helicopter has made a precautionary landing in Madhya Pradesh today
PremiumAn Apache attack helicopter has made a precautionary landing in a field in a village in the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), an Apache AH-64 helicopter carried out a precautionary landing near Bhind, during routine operational training. All crew and the aircraft are safe. The rectification party has reached the site, IAF informed.
“I have come to know that the aircraft made a crash landing. There was no fatality or injury in the landing (process)," Chambal Zone Inspector General of Police S Saxena told PTI over phone.
Last week, additional fuel tank of a MiG-29 aircraft of the IAF got dislodged during a training session and fell in a forest area near the Kalaikunda base in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district. The MiG-29 aircraft was on a routine training mission.
There was no loss of life or damage to property as a result of the incident.
The IAF has temporarily grounded its fleet of around 50 MiG-21 fighter aircraft following the crash of one of the jets in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh on 8 May. As per the news reports, all the MiG-21 aircraft are currently undergoing technical evaluation and checks, adding they will be allowed to fly only after clearance by the teams concerned carrying out the scrutiny.
The MiG-21s used to be the mainstay of the IAF for a long period of time. After the first induction, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess.
According to the data, MiG-21s were involved in 400 crashes in the last six decades.
At present, the IAF has three MiG-21 squadrons with a total of around 50 aircraft, according to officials.
The IAF last year finalised a timeline of three years to phase out the remaining MiG-21 fighter squadrons.
The IAF also plans to start the phasing out of the three squadrons of Mig-29 fighter jets in the next five years.
As part of the IAF's modernisation plan, the defence ministry in February 2021 sealed a ₹48,000 crore deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 83 Tejas jets.
The IAF has already procured 36 Rafale jets to enhance its combat capabilities.
It is also in the process of acquiring 114 Medium Role Fighter Aircraft.
(With PTI inputs)
"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels 🚀 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
