Three Indian Army officers, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3 Division, narrowly escaped after a Cheetah helicopter crashed near Tangtse in Ladakh’s south-eastern region near Leh.
The incident took place on Wednesday but was reported publicly on Saturday, per a report by The Times of India. According to Army officials, all three occupants survived the crash with minor injuries.
Senior Army officers escape with minor injuries
The helicopter was being flown by a lieutenant colonel and a major at the time of the accident. The third officer on board was the GOC of the 3 Division, also known as the Trishul Division.
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An Army officer confirmed that a Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash.
The incident once again highlights the operational challenges linked to the Army’s ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, which continue to serve in some of the world’s toughest terrains.
3 army officers had a narrow escape after their Cheetah helicopter crashed in the mountainous Tangste region near Leh.
— Defence Squad (@Defence_Squad_) May 23, 2026
A Lt Col and a major were piloting the single-engine chopper and their passenger was Maj Gen Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of 3 Infantry Division pic.twitter.com/W90I1OTfkP
Cheetah helicopters remain vital in high-altitude ops
The Cheetah helicopter has been part of the Indian Army since 1971 and has played a major role in operations across the Himalayas. Over the decades, it has been used for reconnaissance, artillery spotting, medical evacuation, transport and supply missions.
The helicopter is often described as the lifeline for remote Army posts located in extremely high-altitude areas such as Siachen Glacier, Bana Top, Ashok and Sonam.
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However, operating in areas above 18,000 feet places severe pressure on the aircraft. Thin air at such heights reduces rotor lift and engine performance, making operations more difficult and requiring multiple sorties even for routine tasks.
Army plans shift to HAL’s light utility helicopters
As part of its modernisation programme, the Army plans to gradually replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleet with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Light Utility Helicopters (LUH).
The LUH, approved in 2009, has been designed specifically for high-altitude operations. Powered by the Shakti-1U turboshaft engine, the helicopter can operate at heights up to 21,300 feet and support roles including troop transport, reconnaissance, medical evacuation and VIP movement.
