An Indian Air Force (IAF) Apache attack helicopter made an emergency landing in Ladakh during an operational training sortie on Wednesday, IAF said on Thursday. Both the pilots are safe and successfully recovered to the nearest base, it said.
The IAF said the incident occurred due to the challenges posed by the undulating terrain and high altitude in the Ladakh area of responsibility (AOR). As a result, the helicopter sustained damage. IAF has initiated a Court of Inquiry to investigate and determine the exact cause of the emergency landing.
“An IAF Apache helicopter carried out a precautionary landing during an operational training sortie in Ladakh on April 3. During the process of this landing, it sustained damage due to undulating terrain and high altitude,” the IAF said in a brief statement.
“Both the pilots on board are safe and have been recovered to the nearest airbase. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause,” the IAF said.
Under a deal signed with the United States in September 2015 worth Rs 13,952 crore, the IAF inducted 22 of these advanced helicopters. Additionally, the Indian Army is in the process of receiving six Apache helicopters under a separate contract inked in February 2020, valued at Rs 5,691 crore.
Produced by the American aerospace company Boeing, the Apache is one of the cutting-edge multi-role combat helicopters and serves as a key asset for the US Army.
