The Mi-17 V5 helicopter is the latest acquisition in the IAF and forms the backbone of the Medium lift helicopter fleet. The aircraft is a state of the art platform equipped with advanced avionics and has proved to be an asset to the IAF in various operations and exercises.

The father Air Vice Marshal Manavendra Singh AVSM VrC VSM and son Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Singh flew as pilots in a Mi-17 V5 helicopter for the first time. AVM M Singh being one of the senior most helicopter pilots in the IAF has to his credit over 6700 hrs of flying.
The Air officer is a qualified flying instructor and has instructed on various types of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft in a career spanning nearly 35 years. Having flown in challenging sectors like the Northeast, Uttrakhand, Siachen, Western deserts and Democratic Republic of Congo, the officer has vast experience in helicopter operations in the IAF. Flt Lt Siddharth Singh following his father’s legacy was commissioned in the year 2011 in the helicopter stream. The youngster has flown Mi-17 V5 and has represented his unit in various Air Force level exercises.

 Air Vice Marshal Manavendra Singh is presently the Senior Officer in Charge Administration HQ EAC and son Flt Lt Siddharth Singh is a unit pilot posted in one of the Mi-17 V5 helicopter unit under HQ EAC. Being one of the few second generation families in uniform, it was a momentous and proud occasion for them.