Army Cheetah Helicopter crashes near Leh; Major General among 3 injured

3 Indian Army officers had a narrow escape after a Cheetah helicopter crashed in the mountainous Tangste region near Leh in Ladakh, officials said.

The incident took place on Wednesday but details emerged on Friday. According to officials familiar with the matter, a lieutenant colonel and a major were piloting the single-engine helicopter, while Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3 Infantry Division, was onboard as a passenger.

Officials said all three occupants survived the crash with minor injuries, describing the incident as “nothing short of a miracle”.

A probe has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, officials said the Indian Army is planning to gradually phase out its ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters over the next few years. The force is expected to replace them with new light utility helicopters as part of a long-term modernisation plan.

The Army’s replacement strategy includes the induction of indigenously manufactured light utility helicopters along with leased aircraft to meet immediate operational requirements. Officials said the Army requires around 250 new helicopters.