IAF to induct Mi-17 V5 helicopter on Friday

The Indian Air Force will induct the Mi-17 V5 helicopter on Friday, a chopper with substantial and effective firepower with the latest and more powerful engines. The helicopter, which is an upgrade of Mi-17 in the medium -lift category, is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and onboard navigation systems for greater payload carriage capability at higher altitudes. It is a glass cockpit variant; the first of its kind to get inducted into the IAF.[caption id=“attachment_215692” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“M-17 V5 helicopter. Image courtesy PIB”]  [/caption] The chopper has onboard weather radar, state of the art autopilot and is compatible with the latest generation (Gen-III) night vision goggles. The helicopter is ideal for rescue operations as it has a powerful winch – a feature useful in the disaster relief operations in restricted areas where landing is not possible. The entire airframe has a high degree of ballistics tolerance and is crash-resistant. It also comes equipped with an emergency flotation system. Its internal cabin volume is sufficient for transporting fully-equipped infantry soldiers for specialised operations. In 2008, India had signed an agreement with Russia to induct 80 Mi-17 V5 helicopters for strengthening IAF’s helicopter fleet for high altitude air maintenance operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission and transport operations.