As the nation rises to pay its respects to its first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, a gritty and decorated soldier, and the 11 other army personnel, people will seek answers to some critical questions on aircrafts, security and safety of fliers and the protocol that governs it. While there is grief and disbelief that surrounds the crash, it is for the government and the investigating agencies to provide answers, explain the cause of the crash and restore confidence.
Did the Mi-17V5 aircraft, known to be a modern transport helicopter used by the military and considered the safest, fail minutes before landing? The aircraft has some outstanding characteristics and has the capabilities to fly in tropical, maritime and desert conditions. Its cockpit is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics with night-vision systems, an onboard weather radar, a cockpit suite that has navigation and information displays and cueing systems. The aircraft has the capabilities of negotiating a landing even if it suffers a failure of both engines.
If a modern and fully-equipped army chopper cannot guarantee the safety of our army men, what else can? The aircraft lost contact with the base at 12.08 pm when it was barely 7 minutes away from a touchdown. Can poor visibility be an acceptable argument for a vehicle that is to be used in warfare and has adaptability features for all terrains?
Secondly, did the pilot err? Given the VIP nature of the flight carrying the Chief of Defence Staff and other army officers, did the crew ignore the element of risk to lives? Apparently, the aircraft was under the charge of Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan, one of the army’s finest pilots.
Was the ill-fated Mi-17V5 chopper fit to fly? Yes, it was. The aircraft has a clean history of flying and reported no technical issues in any of the previous sorties. Also, there are tight protocols in place with choppers undergoing mechanical checks and sealed before giving clearance to take off.
While India awaits answers, the nation and its people mourn and pay tributes to an outspoken, fearless and exemplary army leader. A General who raised the bar, relentlessly worked towards modernization, floated a make in India concept and outlined sweeping reforms in the army. He planned to have five integrated theatre commands instead of each force having multiple regional commands and brought in a paradigm shift in the rank and file. His fierce outlook towards hostile neighbours like Pakistan and China will be long remembered.
General Rawat was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and was scheduled to address the faculty and officers of the staff college on Wednesday. At a time when the world is holding virtual discourses and meetings, Gen Rawat took on this as his mission to make his presence felt, a mission he couldn’t accomplish.
CDS Gen Rawat's death has left the nation shaken, baffled and waiting for answers. The helicopter and the protocols of VIP flying will have to come under a deep scanner. Let’s not forget that the Mi-17V5 is frequently used to ferry senior constitutional authorities.
