Any inquiry has been instituted to go into the cause and circumstances in the wake of MIG-21 aircrash happened in Anantnag district of Kashmir recently. Every IAF aircraft accident/ incident is thoroughly investigated by a Court of Inquiry (Col) to ascertain the cause of accident and the recommendations of the completed Court of Inquiry are implemented. During the last five years (from 2009-10 up to 2.7.2014), thirty fighter aircraft (three Su-30 and twenty seven MIG series) and eight transport aircraft (one AN-32 and seven helicopters) of Soviet era have crashed. Main reasons for these accidents were human error and technical defect.
Various preventive measures like invigoration of Aviation Safety Organization, streamlining of accident reporting procedure, analytical studies and quality audits of the aircraft fleets to identify vulnerable areas have been taken to reduce aircraft accidents. Also, accident prevention programmes have been given an added thrust to identify risk prone / hazardous areas specific to the aircraft fleets and operational environment to ensure safe practices / procedures. Replacement of existing aircraft and induction of new aircraft is an ongoing process. All the necessary steps are taken to meet the operational requirements of the defence forces keeping in view the evolving security challenges. This information was given by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley in a written reply to Smt Ambika Soni in Rajya Sabha today.