Here's All You Need To Know About Russian Made Mi-17V5 Helicopters Which Carried CDS Bipin Rawat

New Delhi: In a tragic accident that took place near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on 8 December, an Indian Air Force Mi- 17V5 helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat onboard met with an accident and subsequently crashed.

The IAF confirmed that General Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 11 others which included his staff lost their lives. 

An inquiry has been ordered to find out the cause of the crash. Here is what you need to know about the chopper carrying the CDS.

Considered to be one of the most advanced military transport helicopters in the world, the Mi-17V5 is a Russian-made chopper that is used for deploying troops, arms transport, fire support, patrol and search and rescue operations.

In 2008, the Indian Government and Rosoboronexport of Russia signed a contract to deliver 80 Mi-17V5 helicopters. India purchased another 71 of these helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) by signing new agreements.

This advanced helicopter has been designed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and built by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. Its production began in 1977 and at least 60 countries use these choppers as of 2021.

The Mi-17V5 is capable of flying in harsh conditions ranging from tropical, maritime, and even desert conditions. It has a starboard sliding door, parachute equipment, searchlight, and emergency floatation system fitted in it.

The chopper is capable of carrying 36 armed soldiers internally and its maximum take-off weight is 13,000 kg. It also contains a glass cockpit, which is fitted with multi-function displays, night vision equipment, onboard weather radar, and an autopilot system. 

It also has an impressive armament onboard to counter enemy personnel, armoured vehicles, land-based targets and other targets. It is armed with Shturm-V missiles, S-8 missiles, a 23 mm machine gun, PKT machine guns, and AKM submarine guns.

The advanced chopper also boosts armoured plates in order the safeguard its crucial components. In order to protect against explosions, the fuel tanks are filled with foam polyurethane and it has contains engine-exhaust infrared suppressors, a flares dispenser and a jammer.

Last but not the least, it can fly up to a speed of 250 km/h and has a standard range of 580km. It can fly at a maximum altitude of 6,000m.

Overall, it is a package in itself having impeccable features.