IL-38 aircraft was in Russia for overhaul, mid-life upgradation

The Navy on Sunday responded to reports of its plane, Il-38, making a crash landing in Russia, saying the aircraft was in the country for overhaul and mid-life upgradation.

“The aircraft is in Russia for Overhaul (OH) and Mid Life Upgradation (MLU). No Indian Navy crew was onboard during the sortie though they are present in Russia. The aircraft was on initial test flight with all Russian crew. The damage is being ascertained,” the Navy said.

It was reported on Saturday that the Il-38 was forced to make an emergency landing outside Moscow, following a chassis failure. The reports also claimed that there were seven people on board - four pilots and three technical specialists.

According to Russia Today, the plane, which was bracing for the emergency landing, emitted quite dense smoke and was seemingly dumping fuel in order to reduce the chances of catching fire. It said all the people four pilots and three technical specialists on board the aircraft walked away unharmed.

Earlier this month, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was in Moscow during which she held extensive talks with her Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu.

The two sides had agreed to significantly step up defence cooperation.

Russia has been one of India’s key suppliers of arms and ammunition. However, it has been a long-standing grievance of the armed forces that supply of critical spares and equipment from Russia takes a long time affecting maintenance of military systems procured from that country.

Officials said Russia has agreed to speed-up implementation of various projects including mid-life upgradation of various platforms supplied by it to Indian armed forces.

WORK BEGINS ON 2 SHIPS FOR ANDAMANS

• Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has commenced the block erection of two modern high quality vessels for Andaman & Nicobars.
   
• The block erection ceremony is one of the important milestones in the construction of a ship.
   
• These are the first two vessels built for the island administration. Order for two more vessels has been awarded to the CSL.