General Rawat’s Helicopter Crash Has Undermined Our Reputation and Credibility

The incident that occurred on 8 December 2021 in India’s history has dented the image of our country and that of the military globally as well as in the eyes of our citizens.

When the first CDS of our country along with this team left Solur Air Base for Wellington aboard Mi-17V-5 Helicopter, the chopper while flying over the Nilgiri Hills crashed. This crash occurred merely 17 to 18 minutes after the flight took off, and a total of 13 persons died in the accident.

The world is aware of the fact that we have the second largest army globally, which stands at 14 lakh soldiers and have paramilitary forces numbering around 15 lakhs. Additionally, there is a presence of security forces like CRPF, ICG, and SSF.

The world also acknowledges that we have fought five wars with Pakistan (including the Siachen War), four wars or battles with China (1962, 1967, 1987 and 2020), Portuguese War of 1961, including participation in a number of peacekeeping missions under the aegis of the United Nations.

Moreover, the world knows that we possess technology to make nuclear weapons and can fire them from land, air and sea using missiles to target even Beijing, the capital of China.

For the above said reasons, we are considered as the fourth largest military power in the world, with the defense budget comprising 13.73% of the country’s annual expenditure budget.

Our prime minister has given the slogan of “Self-reliance and Make in India” due to which we export military equipment worth $US 2.23 billion, whereas we carry out imports amounting to $US 42.9 billion. We make exports to CIS countries, South East Asia, Middle East, and the countries of Indian subcontinent.
Other than this, we have powerful intelligence agencies like RAW, IB, DMI, DNI and DAI.
But the Kargil intrusion, 2020 Chinese incursion, violation of air space of our six Air Force bases by the Pakistani Air Force in 27th Feb.2019, and now the crash of General Bipin Rawat’s helicopter, all these incidents have not only led to a fall in our prestige but has also shaken the confidence of the ordinary citizens.
Whereas, on the other hand, blame for the 1962 debacle was passed over to the politicians.

The helicopter which has crashed is considered as the finest helicopters in the world. The readers will be surprised to know that the company manufacturing these helicopters was founded by President Putin, and it was known as Rostee. After becoming President, Putin sold the company to the government but holding company shares are retained by him. Subsidiary company of Rostee is “Russian Helicopters,” which is also known by the name JSC. Our government signed a deal for buying 80 such helicopters in 2008, which was later increased to 151. We got the first batch in September 2011, and these helicopters are operational in the Air Force since February 2012. The last batch was received in July 2018, and the Air Force opened a unit in Chandigarh for the maintenance and repairs of these helicopters. This helicopter, which is also known as Mi-8- 8/17, and which the NATO call as hip, has all the modern features like capacity to accommodate 3 crew members along with 36 passengers as well as ability to fly at a height of 6000 m over both the desert and mountainous regions.

Moreover, this helicopter is equipped with a parachute, sliding door, search light, and Aflir system (which can detect explosives), and can even float over water. With ability to fly at a speed of 250 km/hr, it can carry a load of 1300 kg along with it. Besides, instrument to give information on weather are also installed in it.

The plant for making this helicopter is located in KAAN, and the factory is known by the name KAAN HELICOPTER PLANT (KHP), which is situated in South West Russia. About 16 different types of helicopters are manufactured in this factory, and they have been sold to almost all our neighboring countries. This is its fifth crash in our country, and twice it has escaped from getting wrecked. Up till now, about 50 soldiers have died and 5 soldiers have sustained injuries.
This helicopter had earlier crashed on 19 November 2010 in Tawang, on 30 August 2012 in Jamnagar, on 15 June 2013 in Kedarnath and on 07 October 2017 in Tawang again in addition to its meeting accident on 08 December 2021 in Solur. Apart from this, it met accident on 08 November 2021 in Arunachal Pradesh and on 30 April 2018 in Kedarnath, but no casualty other than injuries was reported in these two instances.

Our government has ordered a tri-service enquiry which will be headed by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh of the Training Command. My question is whether any action will be taken on those officers of our armed forces who belong to the Department entrusted with the task of maintenance and repairs. If it is a conspiracy, then it can be ascertained by a chemical test, and if the accident has been as a result of bad weather, then it must be borne that the army has its own weather forecasting department and that there was presence of radar in the helicopter itself for weather assessment.

I would like to give an example according to which, on 02 January 2020, one of the aero planes of the Taiwanese Air Force crashed in Wulai region in which their Commander-in-Chief General Shen Yi-Ming died. The government investigated the matter and Jen i-Wei and Chou Shih Kai were impeached. Will the file in this case too be closed in the name of security, demoralization of troops, nationalism, heroics of Maharana Pratap and Shivaji, and passing blame on the others? Our prime minister should bear in mind that he also makes use of this helicopter, and so, there is a need to give stern message in the matter.

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Date: 15/12/2009