What is Mi-17V5 helicopter that crashed with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat onboard?

General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat died when a Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying them crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor.

13 out of 14 people onboard have been confirmed killed in the tragic accident. The chopper had taken off from the Sulur airbase on its way to Wellington in Coimbatore.

The Mi-17V5 is a modern transport helicopter used by the Indian Air Force. The chopper is designed to carry personnel, cargo and equipment inside its cargo cabin or on an external sling. The helicopter is capable of dropping tactical air assault forces and reconnaissance teams. Equipped with modern avionics, the helicopter is capable of operating in any geographical and climatic conditions, day and night, along with adverse weather situations.

The Indian Air Force uses the helicopter to not only transport cargo but also deploy troops in operational areas apart from rescue and relief missions across the country. The Sulur airbase operates these helicopters. The soviet-designed Russian helicopter is capable of landing on unprepared sites at night and in limited adverse weather conditions. The helicopter can carry a maximum load of 13,000 kilograms, flying at a maximum speed of 250 kilometres per hour.

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