Two experts analyse the most pressing questions after the death of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff in a helicopter crash
The death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other defence personnel Wednesday in a helicopter crash has raised multiple questions. An immediate one will be regarding the Mi-17V5 helicopter that crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu since the aircraft is used to ferry India’s top-most constitutional authorities.
Air Vice-Marshal (retired) Manmohan Bahadur says that despite the Russia-made Mi-17V5 being the “trusted workhorse” of the air force, there will now be a thorough examination of its potential weaknesses after this incident. AVM Bahadur, who commanded a frontline helicopter unit and two flying bases during his 36-year-long service in the Indian Air Force, said the chopper is the aircraft of choice to ferry all Indian VIPs.
Air Vice-Marshal (retired) Manmohan Bahadur says that despite the Russia-made Mi-17V5 being the “trusted workhorse” of the air force, there will now be a thorough examination of its potential weaknesses after this incident. AVM Bahadur, who commanded a frontline helicopter unit and two flying bases during his 36-year-long service in the Indian Air Force, said the chopper is the aircraft of choice to ferry all Indian VIPs.