ALBAWABA - Following the helicopter accident that included Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, military expert Colonel Hatem Kareem Alfalahi offered analysis of the event and highlighted serious questions about the effectiveness and safety of Iran's aging air force, according to Aljazeera.
Colonel Alfalahi emphasized the outdated condition of the Iranian air fleet, blaming the strict Western sanctions placed on the nation for its incapacity to undergo the required modernization. He said specifically that the helicopter carrying President Raisi was a "Bell 212" type, which was hampered by antiquated specifications, especially with respect to altitude capabilities, notwithstanding its ability to reach remarkable speeds.
Speaking about the difficulties pilots have in bad weather, Colonel Alfalahi stressed the need for an instant landing or a suspension of flight until the weather clears up and advised against flying in dangerous situations.
The expert also emphasized Iran's ownership of a wide variety of helicopters, including many Russian types and "Super Cobra" helicopters made in the United States. But he issued a warning about the increased hazards connected using these aircraft, especially when compared to their civilian counterparts, for a variety of operational goals.
Colonel Alfalahi said that the employment of these helicopters depends on a number of variables, such as the weather and the pilot's ability to manage challenging circumstances in order to maintain operational stability and safety.
Prior to the disaster, sources had suggested that President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were in danger. The incident happened after they attended a dam opening ceremony with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan near the Iranian-Azerbaijani border.
Even though the disaster is still being investigated, Iranian authorities voiced confidence about possible outcomes while calling the situation "extremely worrying."
