Indian Air Force's Apache helicopter showcases its low flying capability near China border . An indigenous `Dhruv’ advanced light helicopter of the IAF made a 'hard landing’ at a forward helipad near the crucial Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) airstrip in eastern Ladakh, just a few km from the Line of Actual Control with China, on Monday morning.
The two pilots and another under-training pilot on board, fortunately, escaped with only `minor injuries’, though the helicopter was damaged at the high-altitude helipad.
The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry into the mishap, which came amidst the ongoing military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh, said an official.
There has been a heavy build-up by the People’s Liberation Army in the critically-located Depsang-DBO sector, apart from other areas in eastern Ladakh, since April-May last year. The IAF’s advance landing ground (ALG) at DBO, at an altitude of 16,614-feet, overlooks the strategic Karakoram Pass and is just a few km from the LAC and the China-occupied Aksai Chin region beyond. The DBO ALG has been described as “a big threat for China” by IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria.
The IAFhas forward deployed Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar fighters as well Apache attack, Chinook heavy-lift and other helicopters and surface-to-air missile squadrons, among other platforms, in Ladakh and elsewhere since the troop stand-off erupted over a year ago. IAF deploys Apache helicopters just 25 km from LAC with China
Amid border tensions with China, the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Apache combat helicopter has demonstrated its low-flying operational capability in Ladakh, the world's highest advanced landing grounds, just 25 km from the LAC with China. Amid border tensions with China, the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Apache combat helicopter has demonstrated its low-flying operational capability in Ladakh, the world's highest advanced landing grounds, just 25 km from the LAC with China. Apache has been operating in the Ladakh region since May-June last year. The Special Forces of the Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstrated its capability to conduct special operations from a Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopter at the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground at an altitude of about 13,500 feet. The digital connectivity and state-of-the-art information system of the Apache helicopter make it dangerous. The kind of technologies used in this helicopter give it effective firepower and accurate information even in inaccessible places. Know why Apache is the world's deadliest helicopter
- It has been designed to attack the enemy at a high speed like a hawk.
- Flying range of this helicopter is 550 km
- This helicopter can fire 16 anti-tank missiles
- 1,200 30 mm bullets can be fired at a time. The guns are mounted under the helicopter.
- It is necessary to have two pilots to fly a 16-feet high and 18-feet wide Apache helicopter.
- There are two engines to run this helicopter. Because of this, its speed is very high.
- Its design is such that it can easily dodge enemy radar.
- The Apache helicopter can fly for up to 2:45 hours at a time.
- Improved landing gear, cruise speed, climb rate and increased payload capacity are some of its other features.
The Apaches included in the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet are of the upgraded version. Its technology and engine have been upgraded.
- It is equipped with the capability to control Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
- There is also the ability to transmit the picture of the battlefield to the command center and receive it from there.
- Apache has been specially designed by the American company Boeing according to the need of the Indian Army.
In the past, India and China have withdrawn their troops from the Gogra area on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The two countries have also demolished all temporary construction and infrastructure built on this forward front, along with withdrawing troops from Patrolling Point 17A of the LAC in Gogra.
For the last 15 months, the soldiers of both the countries were in a state of confrontation at this patrolling point of Gogra. With this, the deadlock on four of the six fronts of the military confrontation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh has been resolved.
Before Gogra, both the countries had created a buffer zone here by withdrawing their troops from the north and south banks of the Pangong Lake and the Galwan Valley. Now the soldiers of India and China are stationed in the situation of confrontation in these two areas, Haat Spring and Depsang on the LAC.
The Apache is the most effective helicopter in densely forested mountainous areas, which can easily locate the enemy hidden in the hills and valleys and hit the target accurately. It can be equipped with a variety of large bombs, guns and missiles.
