Aviation

A chopper carrying CDS Bipin Rawat crashes in Tamil Nadu, killing 13 persons. IAF Helicopter Crash Live Updates:

Latest information :17:35 (IST) Dec 08

On Wednesday, an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter carrying the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat and 13 others crashed in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. The CDS was on his way to Wellington’s Defence Staff College. Official sources say 14 persons were on board the Mi-17V5 helicopter, including Rawat’s wife. According to sources, 13 of the 14 passengers have been confirmed dead. According to Times of india

An Army helicopter carrying senior defence officials, including Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, crashed in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday, killing four people on the spot. According to sources, the chopper was on its way from Sulur Airbase to Wellington when it crashed. There were around 14 persons on board. According to an official, three officials have been rescued so far, while others are still being searched. The injured have been taken to the Wellington cantonment in Nilgiris.

According Indian news agency ANI, the Mi-series chopper was transporting Bipin Rawat, his colleagues, and some family members. According to sources, as soon as the chopper crashed, a search and rescue operation was launched from nearby facilities. Locals also jumped into the rescue operation, and early photographs of the downed chopper helped local rescuers.

According to Times of india

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

In a statement, the Indian Air Force verified the event and the presence of CDS Rawat on board. “In Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, today, an IAF Mi-17V5 chopper carrying CDS Gen Bipin Rawat was involved in a mishap.” “An Inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the mishap,” the IAF said.

#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper.
(Video Source: Locals involved in search and rescue operation) pic.twitter.com/YkBVlzsk1J
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

The passengers in the chopper that flew from Delhi to Sulur included Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, NK Gurusewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kumar, L/NK Vivek Kumar, L/NK B sai Teja, and Hav Satpal. The passenger list for the Sulur-Wellington flight has yet to be disclosed. click

#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper. pic.twitter.com/6oxG7xD8iW
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

The bodies have yet to be identified, according to officials, while the rescue mission continues. According to ANI, two officials were taken to a local hospital with 80 percent burns.

Aviation

Boeing, Antonov to Collaborate on Defense Projects

– MOU represents Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian industry

– Includes exploring opportunities for collaborating on in-country support of Unmanned Aerial Systems

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Boeing and Antonov Company to investigate potential collaboration on defense-related projects.

“We’re happy to keep collaborating with the Antonov Company to help Ukraine’s economic development and expansion,” stated Ted Colbert, CEO and president of Boeing Defence, Space, & Security.

Airbus and the Antonov An-225: The Best Partnership:Click here

“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defence Industry Compact earlier this year.”

The areas of potential collaboration identified in the agreement consist of training, logistical support and overhaul services for tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the ScanEagle. In addition, the companies will also explore opportunities for Antonov to provide engineering support to Boeing.

The six largest cargo aircraft ever built in the aviation industry:Click here

“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Ievhen Gavrylov, CEO of Antonov Company.

This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions – in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”