The first batch of Mil Mi-17-V5 transport helicopters have been delivered to the Indian air force as part of an 80-aircraft order signed in December 2008.
Manufactured by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters, the medium twin aircraft are equipped with a KNEI-8 avionics suite.
© Russian Helicopters |
The Klimov VK2500-powered aircraft have strengthened gearboxes to enable high-altitude operations, addressing a key requirement that emerged following performance inadequacies with India's current Mi-17s.
India's air force already has an active fleet of more than 110 Mi-8/17s, as listed in Flightglobal's HeliCAS database.
Source: Flight International