The first Kazan Mi-17 helicopter with western avionics, fitted by Kelowna Flightcraft, has been sold to South Korea's LG International for delivery to the country's police force.
British Columbia-based Kelowna completed a prototype of the westernised Mi-17KF last year, and has sent a team to Kazan Helicopters to install special avionics in a new Mi-17MD for delivery to South Korea.
The proof-of-concept aircraft could lead to a large follow-on order from Korea, says Kelowna engineering director Michael Sizeland. Malaysia is also interested in the modified Mi-17, he says, and efforts to sell the westernised helicopter to Latin American countries continue.
The Mi-17KF is one of several upgrade programmes being pursued by the Canadian company. A prototype updated Lockheed T-33 for the Bolivian air force has been completed, but its Rolls-Royce Nene engine has been impounded by US customs.
A navigation system upgrade for the Lockheed Martin C-130 will be flight tested by the Argentine air force later this year, Sizeland says, and other Latin American deals are in the pipeline.
Source: Flight International
