AN-32 Crash Rekindles Debate on Ageing Military Aircraft: Is It Time for India to Accelerate Fleet Modernisation?
By Dweep Tulika Defence Desk The recent crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft near Jorhat in Assam has once again brought the spotlight onto one of the Air Force's oldest and most trusted workhorses. The accident claimed the lives of five Air Warriors while one crew member survived, prompting the IAF to order a Court of Inquiry into the incident. While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, the tragedy has reignited a broader national debate: How long should military aircraft remain in service, and is India investing enough in replacing ageing platforms? The Backbone of Tactical Airlift The Antonov AN-32 was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1984. Designed for operations in hot and high-altitude environments , the Soviet-origin aircraft became the backbone of India's tactical airlift capability. For more than four decades, the aircraft has transported troops, ammunition, relief supplies, and equipment across some of the most chall...