United States is in the process of identifying additional Mi-17s

[HAIDER]

The United States is in the process of identifying additional Mi-17s that may be made available to Pakistan in the future, officials said. The U.S. military has several of the Russian-built medium-weight, single-rotor helicopters in its inventory, primarily for training purposes, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters today.
U.S. Delivers Helicopters to Support Pakistani Military

My fav modification by PAA

 

[Blackpearl]

this is not Army helicopter it is Pakistan Air force helicopter. see on the tail, cleary written.
looking on the picture it has additions of aircondition unit on left side, ferry tanks for extended range, chin mounted weather radar, and emergency floats for flying over sea, and using in the event of crash landing in the seas and floating.

 

[fatman17]

this is not Army helicopter it is Pakistan Air force helicopter. see on the tail, cleary written.
looking on the picture it has additions of aircondition unit on left side, ferry tanks for extended range, chin mounted weather radar, and emergency floats for flying over sea, and using in the event of crash landing in the seas and floating.

used for SAR/Casevac!
the Mi-17s are very rugged, dependable and versatile helos and are well liked by both army and AF pilots.

 

[Sunny4pak]

Thanks sir Fatman for ur kind information regarding MI 17 its really in PAA i mean the above pic that u share. these modification is made by PA or it was of its Origin. if PA did this with this hello (I mean Weapons ) then what about the latest one that they can also modified them for attack purpose
guidance required from senior members
Regards,
Sunny

 

[Blackpearl]

used for SAR/Casevac!
the Mi-17s are very rugged, dependable and versatile helos and are well liked by both army and AF pilots.

Sir i dont ot like the suggestion of MI-17 helo used by PAF for SAR and CASEVAC. Let me define both categories
AIR Force SAR helicopter. considering airforce SAR helo is to go in hostile area, enemy area for rescuing a downed pilot, the bird must be small, low profile, less noisey, can fly easilly nap of earth, terrain hugging mode, highly manoeuvrable, using terrain to mask itself. Offcourse, it has to rescue only one pilot may be 2, if wingman is also shot downed0, so big helo is not needed. Birds like Allouette (already used by PAF, Fennec, AS350, Bell 206 Jet ranger, Bell 412 are best suited for such operation.
MI-17 is big, noisey, cannot fly terrain hugging due to size, and whats the luxery sending 30 seater just to pick one or two pilots.

CASEVAC MI-17 is designes for mass casuality evacuation from the battlefield, earthquake, natural disaster, and helicopter must land on the ground, and troops, civilians, will enter from rear or from side doors. MI-17 is not recommended to pick casuality while hovering overhead. Bigger rotor, bigger rotor wash, and more dander of flying debris in the area, hitting and injuring the casualty being lifted or hoiest up. Also casuality tray with patient may swing more right and left. again, if a casuality is to be lifted overhead, smaller helicopters produce little downwash from rotors.

So MI-17s are designed for mass casuality evacuation afetr landing on a landing zone. not good, suspending an 8 ton giant in air picking up a poor chap just ejected from a fighter.

 

[Shiji]

An Mi-17I of the Army Aviation that was hit by 12.7mm AA, 7.62 mm AK, and an RPG-7V while in operational area. The RPG round hit the Co-Pilots window, all hydrolics, communications system, navigational aid were all either damaged or destroyed. The co-pilot was injured. The pilot with 15 Soldiers + 3 Crewmen life at stake decided to fly to nearest FAB. In which he succeeded. Yes the Mi-17 is a very rugged Helicopter. But American Choppers are also good.
For Example in the Vietnam war a Bell UH-1 Huey picked up soldiers that had been engaged with the enemy. The Huey went at treetop level with its main rotor hitting and chopping the top of the trees. After the Helli landed at the Airbase it was found out that it was hit with more than 500 Small arm rounds. All of the Crew and the Soldiers returned alive.
And then there are some Helicopters that just don't seem to fit the theme of ruggedness e.g in Iraq an AH-64 Apache was shot down with a single AK round that hit the Tail-Rotor. And who can forget the Black Hawk Down incident? Where Pakistani Army played a vital role in saving American Delta Force, and Rangers.

 

[HAIDER]

Successful Demonstration of Mi-17 ATE Avionics and Weapons System Upgrade Programme- April 2008


ATE is pleased to announce that the recent demonstration of its Mi-17 helicopter avionics and weapons system upgrade programme held in the Client country was successful. This demonstration was the first contractual step towards the Mi-17 Production Upgrade for one of its North African Clients. The main objective of the demonstration was to demonstrate the weapon system capability from the upgraded Mi-17, during both day and night conditions. The firings were carried out from one of the Client’s Mi-17 helicopters and were conducted on a weapons range in the desert over a period of 3 days. Successful firing of the INGWE was achieved on the second and third days of the demonstration.


Besides the weapon system, the new avionics system performed very well during the tests and both the Client and the test team were very satisfied with its performance. In parallel, ATE is currently integrating the digital tactical mapping system on the avionics integration bench in South Africa and ATE plans to demonstrate this system on the aircraft in the Client’s country during the month of April. In accordance with ATE’s current contract, the production phase of the Mi-17 Upgrade Programme should commence shortly.

 

[Sunny4pak]

Please Share info whether pak army has MI 17s (Weapon Capable)............?
Regards,
Sunny

 

[Shiji]

I think all the PAA's Mi-17 are purely for Cargo, Utility, Transport, Mass Causality Evacuation. I live in Gujranwala (Home of the Aviation School) and till now I have never seen an armed Mi-17. Using the Mi-17 for taking out ground targets is a really stupid thing considering that we have the AH-1S/F Cobras to do the same job much faster and with lesser risks. Pakistani Mi-17's are not armed because they never go alone into the "Hot" areas. In LIC scenario first surveillance is done with the Jet-Ranger etc. Then Cobras go in to neutralize the threats and clear the LZ. The Mi-17 lands or in some cases hovers and the solders rappel down using ropes. The soldiers take position. The Mi-17 leaves the area and it is after the extrication of the Mi-17 that the Cobras also leave the area.

 

[Sunny4pak]

So what about the pic that haider shared above showing an armed MI 17.....?

 

[Shiji]

So what about the pic that haider shared above showing an armed MI 17.....?

I think it was from the Algerian Air force and not PAA. It is an Mi-17 after up gradation by ATE (South Africa). Damn that Mi-17 looks hot.

 

[Sunny4pak]

Is there any possibility for PAA to attach weapons with their MI 17 if not then why becoz (i mean is there any restriction on russian side or technology prob on our side)
I think PAA having very low number of attack hellis why pak is not going for Turkish T-129 as well as Z - 10 is good option
Regards

 

[Sunny4pak]

I was searching pics of MI 17 on google and there i saw the same pic that haider shared but a bit clear view .... i mean on the tail Pakistan Air Force was clearly read able so is it mean that PAA or PAF has attack MIs toooooo.
Regards

 

[Shiji]

This One? Those things that you see on the side are not Bombs or Rocket Pods. Those are tanks that hold Jet Fuel and are used to increase the range of the Helicopter. Pakistan doesn't use Weapons on the Mi-17 because the weapons make the Heli heavy and thus less cargo and troops can be transported. If this is not the Mi-17 you are talking about then please show me the pic of the one you are talking about.
Here is the site of the company that is responsible for the Upgrade on the Mi-17 of the Algerian Air Force
ATE Upgraded Mi-17 of the Algerian Airforce

 

[MZUBAIR]

Y cant Pakistan build their own helos ?