An Mi17-V5 helicopter carrying Chief of Defence Staff
Bipin Rawat crashed in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday killing the CDS, his wife Madhulika
Rawat and 11 others on board. The Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter of Mi-17V-5
make crashed at noon apparently due to low-visibility owing to fog in the
region. The Indian Air Force has already initiated an investigation into the
incident.

The helicopter crash has come as a surprise for
defence experts who spoke to NDTV. The Mi17-V5 is considered one of the most
advanced military transports. Made in Russia by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary
of Russian Helicopters, the chopper has been with the Indian Air Force since
2012.

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Experts described the Mi17-V5 as “very reliable, safe,
stable and large” helicopter that is used to carry VIPs including the Indian
President and the Prime Minister.

While a fog has been preliminarily cited as the cause
of the mishap, the Mi17-V5 comes with an onboard weather radar and is equipped
with the most updated generation of night-vision devices. The chopper also has
the new PKV-8 autopilot system and a KNEI-8 avionics suit.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu helicopter crash: Who all were on board?

India owns a fairly large fleet of the Mi17-V5
helicopters. In 2008, India signed a deal with Russia to induct 90 Mi17V5 medium-lift
helicopters to strengthen its helicopter fleet particularly for humanitarian
and disaster relief operations. The contract was subsequently expanded to
include 151 Mi17V5 choppers.

The Mi17-V5 comes with a fitted self-defence system against
heat seeker missiles, heavily armed cockpit, vital systems and components.

According to Rosoboronexport, the Russian state-owned
defence exports company, the Mi-17V5 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
wounded.