CDS chopper crash: Advanced transport helicopter Mi17V5 is with IAF since 2012

The Mi17V5 helicopter, which crashed with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and 13 other people onboard on Wednesday, is an advanced military transport chopper, manufactured in Russia, and has been with the Indian Air Force (IAF) since 2012. The helicopter has an onboard weather radar. IAF's Mi17V5 chopper has been involved in many incidents during the last decade. On Wednesday the Mi17V5 chopper crashed and took life of 13 people including CDS Bipin Rawat, and his wife.

The Mi17V5 helicopter, which crashed with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat and 13 other people onboard on Wednesday, is an advanced military transport chopper, manufactured in Russia, and has been with the Indian Air Force (IAF) since 2012. The helicopter has an onboard weather radar. IAF's Mi17V5 chopper has been involved in many incidents during the last decade. On Wednesday the Mi17V5 chopper crashed and took lives of 13 people including CDS Bipin Rawat, and his wife.

Mi17V5 chopper | Key points


1. Equipped with the latest generation of night vision devices, Mi17V5 helicopter is also fitted with a self-defence system against heat seeker missiles, heavily-armoured cockpit, vital systems and components.

2. However, this highly advanced chopper has been involved in many incidents and has met many accidents, including the recent incident where the IAF crash-landed in eastern Arunachal Pradesh on November 18 with the two pilots and three crew members suffering minor injuries.

Advertisement

Also Read | Farmers to vacate Delhi borders on Dec 11 after year-long protest ends

3. There are many such incidents like this, as in 2018, when the chopper crashed near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. Similar cases of accidents were traced in 2017, 2013, 2012, etc. where the accident led to the loss of many lives.

Advertisement

4. In 2008, India signed a deal with Russia to induct 80 Mi17V5 medium lift helicopters for humanitarian and disaster relief missions and transport operations, the contract was later extended to 151 Mi17V5 helicopters. And in February 2012, the IAF had formally inducted Mi17V5 helicopters from Russia.

5. "The Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopter is designed to carry personnel, cargo and equipment inside the cargo cabin or on an external sling, drop tactical air assault forces and reconnaissance and sabotage groups, destroy ground targets and carry the wounded," said Russian government's defence exports company Rosoboronexport.

Advertisement

Also Read | Sole survivor of chopper crash, Group Captain Varun Singh currently being treated

6. Moreover, Mi-17V-5 is the most technically advanced helicopter of the Mi-8/17 family of helicopters.

Advertisement

7. On Wednesday the Mi17V5 chopper crashed and took lives of 13 people including CDS Bipin Rawat, and his wife.

Advertisement