India’s $1.34billion Mi-17 helicopters to start arriving by March 2011

[Yeti]

India is expected to start receiving its Mi-17-V5 heavy lift helicopters from March 2011 onwards. The 80 choppers had been ordered from Russia in December 2008 for $1.34 billion, making the single biggest helicopter deal in India.


India’s defence minister A.K. Antony told parliament today that The Mi-17-V5 helicopters will be utilised for Special Heliborne Operations, air-maintenance, transportation of troops and equipment, search and rescue, casualty evacuation and in armed helicopter roles.

A follow-on order for 59 additional Mi-17 helicopters is expected early next year, according the Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief P.V.Naik who was quoted as saying in a magazine interview. The Mi-17-V5 is expected to be a prominent attraction at Aero India 2011.


India’s $1.34billion Mi-17 helicopters to start arriving by March 2011 : Defense news

 

[jha]

Yes..Follow on order will be there..
India should demand local manufacturing of Choppers also..Although initial investment will be required in infra but in long term it will be beneficial..

 

[AIRFORCE BRAT]

AM LOVING IT

 

[Yeti]

shes a sexy beast!!

 

[RoYaL~GuJJaR]

AM LOVING IT

love it...

 

[silentinksoldier]

AWWW YEAH!!!

 

[dawny]

Looks charming

 

[Haseebullah]

i dont think India should go for these a country like India can get the chinooks by putting a little pressure on uncle Sam!~

 

[Yeti]

i dont think India should go for these a country like India can get the chinooks by putting a little pressure on uncle Sam!~

Chinook is already being evaluated in another tender for IAF but these helicopters are a good price and very reliable they have seen service in many countries like Afganistan and always done well.

 

[satishkumarcsc]

i dont think India should go for these a country like India can get the chinooks by putting a little pressure on uncle Sam!~

Mi 17 and Mi 8 are the work horses of the IAF for nearly quarter century. Most of the countries know how capable this beast is. Hell even your country is buying it and the US are leasing it for afghan operations. Above all Chinook is on offer for us and is competing against Mi-26. Chinook is in a different category, so comparison between the Mi 17 and the CH-47 is futile.

 

[silentinksoldier]

Mi 17 and Mi 8 are the work horses of the IAF for nearly quarter century. Most of the countries know how capable this beast is. Hell even your country is buying it and the US are leasing it for afghan operations. Above all Chinook is on offer for us and is competing against Mi-26. Chinook is in a different category, so comparison between the Mi 17 and the CH-47 is futile.

We should try chinooks now, though they lift much lesser than mi26s but they are more reliable and probably better for deploying in a hot LZ

 

[Impasse]

This looks good.. Can it fire anything?

 

[silentinksoldier]

This looks good.. Can it fire anything?

this is mainly a troop carrier...wasn't intended for firing stuff....but of course armament options ARE available

carries around 1500kg of weaponry...like aams, asms etc

Weaponized mi 17 image by D-Mitch_photos on Photobucket

 

[sudhir007]

This looks good.. Can it fire anything?

Yes the news version which we getting will have the option to add weapon on it.

 

[satishkumarcsc]

We should try chinooks now, though they lift much lesser than mi26s but they are more reliable and probably better for deploying in a hot LZ

The Chinooks are complicated helicopters both in terms of maintainance and operations. Yes the approach is better when compared to the Mi-26 and occupies lesser space, the Mi 26 infra is already in place. Why just go for a few chinooks and have a logistical night mare? The IAF is already having one. Trust me flying a Chinook is also a bit harder.