Bengaluru: IAF's Mi-17V-5 helicopter carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat and 12 others crashed near Coonoor in the Nilgiris on Wednesday. Bipin Rawat was traveling to Wellington Staff College for a lecture.

According to reports, 11 people have been declared dead. However, the condition of Bipin Rawat and his wife is not known yet. 

Government is likely to issue a statement tomorrow in Parliament on the crash of the military chopper with the Chief of Defence Staff on board Mi-17V-5 helicopter.

Key features of Mi-17V-5 helicopter:

Mi-17V-5 (domestic designation Mi-8MTV-5) is a military transport variant in the Mi-8/17 family of helicopters. It is produced by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters.

Designed to transport cargo inside the cabin and on an external sling, the Mi-17V-5 is one of the world’s most advanced transport helicopters.

It can also be deployed in troop and arms transport, fire support, convoy escort, patrol, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an order for 12 Mi-17V5 helicopters during the Aero India show held in February 2013.

The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 13,000kg. It can transport either 36 armed soldiers internally or 4,500kg of load on a sling.

The cockpit and vital components of the helicopter are protected by armoured plates. The aft machine gun position is also fitted with armoured plates to protect the gunner.

(Technical details source: https://www.airforce-technology.com/)