IAF to Procure 71 More Mi-17 V5 Choppers for USD 800 Million

IAF to Procure 71 More Mi-17 V5 Choppers for USD 800 Million

Posted on: February 19, 2012

The IAF is planning to procure 71 more Mi-17 V5 choppers including 12 for the Ministry of Home Affairs for over USD 800 million for strengthening its helicopter fleet.

These choppers would in addition to the 80 already ordered from Russia. Of the 80 choppers ordered earlier, Defence Minister A K Antony formally inducted their first batch on Friday.

59 of the 71 choppers would be provided to the IAF for replacing its old Mi-8 and Mi-17IV choppers and six would be given to the Border Security Force. Another six would be distributed among the other paramilitary forces, sources said to defencenow.com.

Earlier the IAF was proceeding with the acquisition of 59 choppers only but later on the MHA requested to club its requirements also in the same Defence Ministry proposal, they said.

In 2008, India had signed a deal with Russia to supply 80 Mi-17s to augment its existing fleet of around 150 Mi-8 and Mi-17 medium-lift choppers, which have over five tonne load carrying capability and are also used to ferry troops and VIPs.

The Air Force had felt the need of inducting more medium-lift choppers after a spate of natural disasters following the tsunami in December, 2004 and the heavy snowfall in Kashmir in 2005.

The MI-17 V5 falls in armed helicopter category, with substantial and effective firepower. It has the latest and more powerful engines that will enhance its payload carrying capability at higher altitudes.

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