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Flight Safety Analysis: 2007-2011

Pratik Sawerdekar Security Editorial Panel

Post Aero India 2011 all eyes are now on multi-billion dollar tenders issued by the Min-
istry of Defence to procure 126 fighter
aircrafts and more than 400 light, heavy
and attack helicopters. In this fanfare we
often forget the main reasons why these
tenders were floated. The 126 MMRCA
tender was floated as a stop gap measure
to sustain fleet strength depleted due to
delay in LCA program and high rate of
attrition amongst the forces. Indian mili-
tary aviation has suffered 54 mishaps
during the period 2007-2011(FY) result-
ing into many casualties. In this analysis
we aim present the fact in simplified but detailed manner.
Forces wise analysis:
The air force as usual scores the most in mishaps. Plagued with old and obsolete aircrafts
like MiG-21 and Mig-27 remain major contributors. Not just old but also upgraded vari-
ants of these two fighters have performed poorly in air safety. Indian Navy comes in se-
cond facing similar issues with old Sea Harriers. Of the 30 purchased in 1980’s only 11
remain. Indian Army has fared good primarily because of its smaller air arm. The only
crash suffered by the Army was that of a Cheetah in February this year. However, if the
Cheetah’s and Chetak’s aren’t replaced soon than we may see a rise in incidents. In all
Army, Navy and Air force suffered 1, 10 & 42 mishaps respectively.

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Type wise analysis:

Fighter aircrafts of the Indian
Air Forces fared very poorly
with 33 incidents. Again the
MiG-21’s and MIg-27’s
formed the bulk of losses. Also
Indian Navy’s Sea Harrier suf-
fered multiple crashes in 2007
and another in 2009. Of lately
older helicopters i.e. the Chee-
tah and Chetak of both the Na-
vy and Air force showing
trends of increase in rate of at-
trition. Helicopters accounted
for 16 mishaps during the peri-
od. The Transport fleet of the Air Forces proved to be very reliable with only 1 loss of an
An-32 but this loss accounted for the single largest cause of death with 13 killed in the in-
cident. Trainers and UAV’s crashed 4 times during the period.

Aircraft wise analysis:

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A comparison of aircrafts contributing to most crashes show that the MiG-21 remains the
“Flying Coffin” of the Air force and is followed by MiG-27. The efforts of IAF and au-
thorities of MiG, HAL and ADA don’t seem to be working. Another major contributor is
the helicopter fleet of Cheetah, Chetek, Kamov, Mi-8, Mi-17 & Mi-26 who contributed 17
crashes. The pride of the IAF the Su-30MKI has suffered two crashes but still remains one
of the safest platform along with Jaguar and MiG-29. The Mirage-2000 suffered no losses
during the period. Prior to the Limited Upgrade (LUSH) the Sea Harriers suffered 4 crash-
es. The MiG-21, MiG-27 and helicopters are areas where there needs to be work done.
Facts & Conclusion:
The armed forces of India have lost exactly 3 squadron strength worth of aircrafts
over past four years of which more than 1 ½ squadron worth attributed to fighters and a
further 1 squadron attributed to helicopters. Statistically, India losses approximately 1 air-
craft per month excluding recoverable mishaps. Such a high rate of attrition is not seen in
any other frontline military. Also the loss of life is tremendous with 50 deaths mostly that
of military personals. Rapid progress needs to be made in air safety by India. Aircrafts
like the MiG-21, MiG-27, Cheetah and Chetek needs to be replaced by safer indigenous
aircrafts like the Tejas and Dhruv by increasing their annual serial production.

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