Indian Army Cheetah Helicopter Crashes in Ladakh, All Three Onboard Survive

An Indian Army Cheetah helicopter crashed in the mountainous Tangste area of Ladakh during a flight earlier this week, though all three Army personnel on board survived with minor injuries, officials said on Saturday.

According to officials, the incident occurred on Wednesday but was reported on Friday. The single-engine HAL Cheetah helicopter was being operated by a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major, while Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3 Infantry Division, was travelling as a passenger.

Officials said the helicopter went down in the rugged high-altitude terrain of Tangste in eastern Ladakh. A formal enquiry has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the crash.

The survival of all three occupants has been described as remarkable given the difficult mountainous conditions and the operational challenges associated with the ageing Cheetah fleet.

The Cheetah helicopter, a licensed version of the French Alouette III, has long been used by the Army for operations in high-altitude and forward areas, including the Siachen glacier.

However, the fleet has come under scrutiny following multiple accidents over the past decade. More than 15 Cheetah and Chetak helicopters have reportedly crashed during this period, resulting in several fatalities.

Amid growing safety concerns, the Army has drawn up plans to gradually phase out the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters over the next one to two years and replace them with indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs).

The Army is estimated to require around 250 LUHs to meet its operational requirements. Officials said the replacement plan includes a mix of indigenous procurement and short-term leasing to bridge capability gaps.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already received orders for six limited-series-production LUHs. The helicopters are designed with a top speed of 220 kmph, a service ceiling of 6.5 km and an operational range of 350 km.

Army officials maintained that the existing Cheetah fleet remains airworthy and within its technical service life. However, the latest crash has renewed focus on the need to modernise the Army Aviation Corps, particularly for operations in strategically important and high-altitude regions like Ladakh.

No fatalities were reported in the incident, and all three officers were treated for minor injuries.