"Aircraft Cost: ₹15 Crores" - Why Indian Army Still Keeping Old Tradition of Displaying Costs on Some Aircrafts

A recent image of an Indian Army Cheetah helicopter, IA-3709, sporting a prominent "Aircraft Cost: ₹15 Crores" inscription in its cockpit has sparked curiosity and amusement among India's defence community and online users.

This seemingly outdated practice, while phased out by the Indian Air Force on newer aircraft, continues within certain branches of the Indian Army, raising questions about its relevance in modern times.

The tradition of marking aircraft with their production costs harks back to the early days of military aviation in India. Its purpose was to instill a sense of responsibility and fiscal awareness among pilots and ground crew entrusted with these valuable assets. By serving as a constant reminder of the significant national investment, the displayed cost aimed to encourage meticulous maintenance and operational care.

In the post-independence era, when India's defence forces operated under tight budgetary constraints, procuring equipment was a considerable financial undertaking. Displaying the price tag on aircraft underscored the substantial commitment made by the nation for each piece of military hardware. This practice, established during those formative years, served as a powerful symbol of fiscal responsibility.

While the Indian Air Force has discontinued this practice on its modern fighter jets, the Indian Army continues to display the cost on certain aircraft, particularly utility helicopters like the Cheetah. The recent image of IA-3709 with its cost inscription has triggered discussions not only for its unusual appearance but also for the lighthearted reactions it has elicited. For the Indian Army, this tradition appears to be a link to its past, adding a layer of historical significance to its equipment.

Experts speculate that the practice may have been retained for helicopters like the Cheetah, which have been in service for several decades, as a nostalgic nod to the military's heritage. It serves as a reminder of an era when military budgets were tightly controlled and emphasizes the value of each asset.

The image of the cost-marked Cheetah helicopter has generated considerable buzz online, with defence enthusiasts and the general public alike commenting on this quirky tradition. For many, it evokes a sense of pride and nostalgia, as the Cheetah helicopter, along with its cost markings, has long been an iconic symbol within the Indian defence forces. This practice offers a glimpse into the inner workings of the Army and highlights the enduring cultural values within the institution.

 

[Anant]

The aircraft cost Rs. 15 crores when, exactly? Say the chopper is from the 1990s. 15 crores back then was a far, far different beast than what it is today (admittedly, still a very large number, but far smaller than 30 years back).

As for the practice, it is interesting, but I'd say the spirit of this exercise would be more impactful if the cost was to be, say, adjusted for inflation and re-written every 2-3 years.

 

[Srinivas Nirmal Kumar Avula]

I think we should technology transfer Cheetah, Chetak Helicopters to Pvt sector so that they produce and sell to African Defense Markets

 

[Gururag Kalanidhi]

The Army should continue to produce and field a lot of Cheetals for recon and drone hunting roles. Given that HAL developed the Lama into the Cheetah, Cheetals, and the Lancers, it would be quite cost effective to modernize these with off the shelf digital components and produce them in ever greater numbers. The Navy and Army in particular could use these light and nimble choppers for several use cases.

 

[Kira]

The aircraft cost Rs. 15 crores when, exactly? Say the chopper is from the 1990s. 15 crores back then was a far, far different beast than what it is today (admittedly, still a very large number, but far smaller than 30 years back).

As for the practice, it is interesting, but I'd say the spirit of this exercise would be more impactful if the cost was to be, say, adjusted for inflation and re-written every 2-3 years.

I don't think it would matter anyway, as in a life or death situation,any pilot won't be paying attention to aircraft's price. Its a cheeky and nostalgic practice,but thankfully IAF has gotten rid of it, and hopefully IA will follow suit with retirement of older birds.
After all, at least from a morale perspective,life of soldier is more valuable for any organisation and nation than the equipment itself.

 

[Anant]

I think we should technology transfer Cheetah, Chetak Helicopters to Pvt sector so that they produce and sell to African Defense Markets

Why not build modern helicopters instead of these venerable relics?

 

[Srinivas Nirmal Kumar Avula]

Why not build modern helicopters instead of these venerable relics?

Some African countries have Internal problems, so to deal with them advance technology helicopters are not required. Not all countries afford advance technology helicopters.

 

[Anant]

Some African countries have Internal problems, so to deal with them advance technology helicopters are not required. Not all countries afford advance technology helicopters.

Sir, if absolutely necessary, we could simply sell them older Mi-17 choppers instead. That seems to be a common type in service in those parts anyways, so they'd be suited to using them as well.

 

[R. Singh]

HAL Should make new advance light,Chetak,Cheetah and Cheetal Helicopters keeping same basic airframe with new engine and avionics !