Thursday, 09 December 2021 | PNS | New Delhi
Govt likely to order thorough tech review of Russian copters
The Russian-made Mi-17 V5 which crashed on Wednesday killing CDS Bipin Rawat and 12 others is seen as a sturdy machine that is meant to fly in the combat zone and has a capacity of 20 passengers.
However, at least five crashes involving the Mi-17 helicopter have taken place in as many years.
Known as the warhorse among the armed forces, this helicopter can also carry heavy load, including tanks and fly at a height of nearly 5,000 metre. At present, the IAF has nearly 140 such helicopters. The IAF started them inducting into service in 2012. The Government is likely to order a thorough technical review of the entire fleet, sources said.
The frequent crash of Mi-17V5 helicopter has baffled the experts since it is an advanced military transport helicopter. Manufactured by Russian Helicopters’ subsidiary Kazan, the helicopter has onboard weather radar and is equipped with the latest generation of night vision devices.
It also has the new PKV-8 autopilot system and a KNEI-8 avionics suite. It can carry a maximum take-off weight of 13,000 kg and maximum payload weight of 4,000 kg and fly at a speed of 250 km per hour.
India had in 2008 signed a deal with Russia to induct 80 Mi-17V5 medium lift helicopters for strengthening its fleet for humanitarian and disaster relief missions and transport operations.
The contract was later expanded for delivery of 151 Mi-17V5 helicopters. The first batch of these helicopters came to India in September 2011. In February 2012, the IAF had formally Mi-17V5 helicopters from Russia to enhance its operational capabilities, including carrying troops and cargo to high altitude areas. The helicopter is fitted with a self-defence system against heat seeker missiles, heavily-armoured cockpit, vital systems and components.
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, they said.
The helicopter is fitted with advanced TV3-117VM engines. It is the most technically advanced helicopter of the Mi-8/17 family of helicopters and incorporates the best engineering solutions from previous generations of helicopters.
