Indian Army’s Cheetal helicopters keep flying in Ladakh amid failure probe
The Cheetals, which have an exceptional power-to-weight ratio, have been flying daily since the May 20 crash,” said another official. A string of crashes has led to scrutiny of the choppers’ safety record.The army will begin phasing out the fleets in a year or two, and replace them with new light utility helicopters (LUHs) over the next eight to 10 years, as part of the Army Aviation Corps’ drive to modernise its capabilities. The planned two-pronged replacement approach involves inducting locally produced LUHs and leasing similar choppers as a stopgap to meet critical requirements.
- ▪The Cheetals, which have an exceptional power-to-weight ratio, have been flying daily since the May 20 crash,” said another official.
- ▪A string of crashes has led to scrutiny of the choppers’ safety record.The army will begin phasing out the fleets in a year or two, and replace them with new light utility helicopters (LUHs) over the next eight to 10 years, as part of the A
- ▪The planned two-pronged replacement approach involves inducting locally produced LUHs and leasing similar choppers as a stopgap to meet critical requirements.
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Indian Army’s Cheetal helicopters keep flying in Ladakh amid failure probeInvestigators are examining a suspected technical failure that caused a recent Cheetal helicopters crash, officials aware of the development said on Wednesday.Updated on: Jun 26, 2026 8:21 AM ISTBy Rahul SinghPrefer HTon GoogleShare viaCopy link The Indian Army’s Cheetal helicopters continue to fly regular mountain sorties in the Ladakh sector, including the Siachen glacier, even as investigators examine a suspected technical failure that caused a recent crash, officials aware of the development said on Wednesday.The Leh-based HQs 14 Corps, responsible for operations in the sector, operates around 25 Cheetals—a re-engined version of the workhorse Cheetah helicopter.
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