As many as 42 military aircraft and helicopters have crashed since 2011 in which as many lives were lost, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said 28 defence aircraft including 14 MIG fighter jets have crashed while 14 helicopters were lost in accidents since 2011.
"42 lives were lost in thse accidents. The loss in terms of value of aircraft and service property in respect of 26 accidents assessed so far is estimated at Rs 1127.37 crore," Parrikar said.
He said the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in August last year had decided to meet army and IAF's requirement of helicopters by procuring the ones required immediately and go for domestic manufacturing as well.
Russian-made MIG-21 and MIG-27s were backbone of Indian Air Force for several decades. The MIG 21 aircraft were part of IAF since late 1960s and had participated in all major operations.
The rising number of accidents involving MIGs, particularly the MIG 21 variant had earned them the epithet of 'flying coffin'.
