In a tragic recurrence of aviation disasters, yet another Indian military helicopter has succumbed to calamity, claiming three lives and leaving two others grievously injured. This incident echoes the infamous 2021 crash that resulted in the death of General Bipin Rawat, India’s Chief of Defense Staff, along with 13 high-ranking officials.
The recent catastrophe unfolded in the state of Gujarat, where an Indian Coast Guard helicopter, performing a routine training sortie, descended uncontrollably and erupted into flames upon impact.
According to Indian media, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) initiated its scheduled training flight from the coastal city of Porbandar. Merely moments after takeoff, communication with the control tower ceased abruptly, raising alarms about its trajectory.
Search teams dispatched to locate the helicopter soon stumbled upon its fragmented wreckage, a grim testament to the ill-fated flight. Among the ruins, three lifeless bodies were recovered, while two severely injured personnel were rushed to medical facilities for urgent care.
A spokesperson for the Indian Coast Guard stated that an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the mishap. Preliminary assessments suggest a technical malfunction may have been responsible for the tragedy.
It is worth noting that in 2021, a similar disaster led to the loss of General Bipin Rawat and other military officials, spotlighting the persistent issues plaguing Indian defense aviation.
Decades of negligence, inefficiency, and corruption have resulted in a series of aviation mishaps involving Indian military aircraft, earning a reputation of fragility akin to autumn leaves scattered by the wind. In response to these repeated failures, a comprehensive safety upgrade was undertaken last year, aiming to enhance the operational reliability of domestically manufactured helicopters.
Although the modernization efforts were completed, and the upgraded control systems were expected to significantly bolster aerial performance, these tragic incidents have stubbornly persisted, raising questions about the efficacy of such measures.
