India loses 21 aircrafts since April last year
www.chinaview.cn 2004-07-15 23:16:09
NEW DELHI, July 15 (Xinhuanet) -- India's Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday Indian armed forces have lost 21 aircraft in crashes since April last year, and 26 people, including 13 civilians, were killed in these mishaps.
"A majority of the eleven crashes involved Russian-made MiG-series aircraft," Mukherjee said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of parliament).
"A total of 22 civilians were also injured in crashes that occurred in residential areas," he said.
Technical defects were the reason behind seven crashes, while human error by the aircrew caused six accidents, according to figures given by Mukherjee along with his answer.
The causes of seven mishaps were still under investigation by the authorities while one accident remained unresolved.
"A continuous and multi-faceted effort is always afoot by the defense services to enhance and upgrade flight safety," he said.
There was also interaction between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which makes components for several fighter jets, and the original manufacturers of the jets to overcome technical defects, Mukherjee said.
The Indian Air Force has lost more than 50 fighter aircraft in mishaps since January 2000. Enditem
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-07/15/content_1604280.htm
www.chinaview.cn 2004-07-15 23:16:09
NEW DELHI, July 15 (Xinhuanet) -- India's Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday Indian armed forces have lost 21 aircraft in crashes since April last year, and 26 people, including 13 civilians, were killed in these mishaps.
"A majority of the eleven crashes involved Russian-made MiG-series aircraft," Mukherjee said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of parliament).
"A total of 22 civilians were also injured in crashes that occurred in residential areas," he said.
Technical defects were the reason behind seven crashes, while human error by the aircrew caused six accidents, according to figures given by Mukherjee along with his answer.
The causes of seven mishaps were still under investigation by the authorities while one accident remained unresolved.
"A continuous and multi-faceted effort is always afoot by the defense services to enhance and upgrade flight safety," he said.
There was also interaction between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which makes components for several fighter jets, and the original manufacturers of the jets to overcome technical defects, Mukherjee said.
The Indian Air Force has lost more than 50 fighter aircraft in mishaps since January 2000. Enditem
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-07/15/content_1604280.htm
