Hindon (Uttar Pradesh), Oct. 8 (PTI): Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa today said the tail rotor of the Mi-17 helicopter that crashed in Tawang on Friday may have "come off", voicing concern over peace-time losses that he said the IAF could hardly afford.
Seven defence personnel, including two air force pilots and two army soldiers, were killed when the Russian-manufactured Mi-17 V5 medium-lift transport helicopter crashed and burst into flames near Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
The chopper was carrying supplies to an Indian Army forward post in the mountainous region near the China border.
"Prima facie it appears that the tail rotor of the chopper had come off. It will not be proper for me to say why it came off as a court of inquiry has already been ordered to probe the crash," the IAF chief told reporters on the sidelines of an event to celebrate Air Force Day.
Dhanoa said there was no technical problem with the aircraft's engine as the Mi 17 V5 fleet was still flying. "I think there is no problem in the machine as the chopper is flying even today," he said.
The IAF chief paid homage to the seven military personnel who died in the crash. "Notwithstanding the high intensity of our flying, we cannot afford to have accidents and lose valuable lives and assets," he said. "Our losses during peace time is a cause of concern and we are making concerted efforts to prevent accidents and preserve our assets."
The IAF has lost 24 aircraft and five helicopters in crashes since 2014-15 and the main reasons behind the accidents were human error and technical defect.
Last month, in a message published in a booklet, Dhanoa had said IAF assets were scarce and expensive and the force couldn't afford to lose them on account of carelessness, ignorance or lack of professionalism.
The booklet, featuring feats of award-winning air warriors, was released today.
Dhanoa said the air force was fully geared to respond to any security challenge. "I assure my countrymen that these men and women under my command are confident to take on any threat and fully prepared to undertake full spectrum of air operation and respond to any challenge in the most befitting manner," he said in the presence of army chief Gen. Bipin Rawat and top echelons of the IAF.
"We are prepared to fight at a short notice should the need arise," he said, addressing an event at the air base here on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the IAF.
The comments came in the backdrop of China's muscle flexing in the Doklam plateau and continued cross-border terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The IAF presented an impressive parade with its jets and helicopters, giving a glimpse of the force's strike capability. Dhanoa awarded Vayu Sena Medals to a number of IAF personnel.
Dhanoa emphasised the need for "joint planning and operations" among the IAF, the army and the navy, saying the "core competencies of each service must be synergised". He also highlighted the IAF's acquisition programme. "We are in the process of acquiring new combat systems, upgrading and modernising our existing inventory of aircraft and weapons system with an aim to equip them with the latest avionics technology," he said.
He mentioned the mid-life upgrade of fighter jets, including the Mirage 2000, the MiG-29 and the Jaguar fleet. "The acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft in the next few years and an early decision on the indigenous fighter jet project will significantly enhance our operational capability," Dhanoa said.
"The induction of the advanced light helicopter, Aakash surface-to-air guided weapons, air-to-air Astra missiles and air defence radars are some of the success stories of defence indigenisation," he added.
