IAF's Mi-17V-5 helicopter crash: All you need to know about Russia-made chopper - Safety, weapons & more

While the Mi-17 is widely considered as one of the most versatile and advanced military transport helicopters around the world, there have been previous crash incidences involving the Mi-17 helicopter.

IAF Mi-17 V-5 (Image for representation)

An Indian Army chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members has crashed in Tamil Nadu. The helicopter has been identified as Mi-17V-5 medium-lifter chopper, one of the most advanced and versatile helicopters in the world today. Although, there are previous crash incidences involving the Mi-series of helicopters, the safety record of the chopper is better than some other cargo choppers in the world. Here's all you need to know about the Mi-17 V-5 military helicopter-

Production and History

The Mi-17V-5 is a military transport variant of the Mi-8/17 family of helicopters, globally famous for being versatile, reliable and value-for-money. The helicopters are produced by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters in Kazan, Russia. The helicopter can be used in a wide variety of military operations right from troop and arms transport, fire support, convoy escort, patrol, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. The Ministry of Defence placed an order of 80 helicopters to the Russian Helicopters in December 2008 for the use of the chopper in the Indian Air Force (IAF). The deliveries began in 2011 and the final unit was handed over in 2018.

An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021

Engine and performance

The Mi-17V-5 is powered by either a Klimov TV3-117VM or VK-2500 turbo-shaft engine. While the TV3-117VM develops a maximum power of 2,100hp, the VK-2500 provides a power output of 2,700hp. The new-gen helicopters get the VK-2500 engine which is a more advanced version of TV3-117VM with a new full-authority digital control system (FADEC). It has a speed of 250 kmph, and a range of 580km. It can be extended to 1,065 km when fitted with two auxiliary fuel tanks. The helicopter can fly at a maximum altitude of 6,000m.

Cabin and Features

The Mi-17 transport helicopter gets a large cabin with a standard portside door for passengers and a ramp at rear for quick troop and cargo movement. The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 13,000 kg and can carry upto 36 armed soldiers or 4,500kg of load on a sling. It can be used in variety of conditions including tropical and maritime climates, as well as desert conditions.

Cockpit and Avionics

The Mi-17V-5 is equipped with a glass cockpit that gets state-of-the-art avionics, including four multifunction displays (MFDs), night-vision equipment, an on-board weather radar, and an autopilot system. For India, the Mi-17V-5 helicopters also get KNEI-8 avionics suite including navigation, information-displays and cueing systems.

Weapon systems

Not just transport, the Mi-17V-5 can also be armed with a wide range of weapons that are required while dropping troops or cargo amidst a hostile environment. It can be loaded with Shturm-V missiles, S-8 rockets, a 23mm machine gun, PKT machine guns, and AKM sub-machine guns. There's an aft machine gun position for a gunner and can be fitted with armoured plates.

Previous crashes

In November this year, an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter crash-landed in eastern Arunachal Pradesh with two pilots and three crew members onboard. All of them were reported safe.

In Feb 2019, amidst the tussle with Pakistan over the Balakot strike, an IAF Mi-17 crashed after getting hit by our own SPYDER air defence missile. Six troops were killed in the crash. 

In early 2018, a Mi-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Kedarnath, with six people getting injured. The chopper was carrying construction material.