The anniversary 3,500th Mi-17 helicopter (export version) has been manufactured by Kazan Helicopters (part of Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom Corporation, part of Rostec State Corporation). The helicopter will be delivered to the Indian Air Forces under the contract signed by Rosoboronexport in 2012, press-service of Russian Helicopters reports.

The contract for delivery of 80 military transport Mi-17V-5 helicopters was signed by Rosoboronexport in 2008, and it has already been implemented by the Russian party. Supplemental agreements for delivery of 71 more helicopters were signed in 2012 – 2013; the vehicles are manufactured by Russian Helicopters on schedule.

“South and South-East Asia are the key regions for promotion of Russian vehicles. Our helicopters are in demand here”, - CEO of Russian Helicopters, Alexander Mikheev, said. “Today India operates over 250 helicopters manufactured by the holding’s enterprises. They are used for pilot training, personnel transportation, search-and-rescue and medevac missions, and providing assistance in case of emergency. Thanks to their unique performance and ability to work under the most adverse weather conditions, they are always able to complete their missions”.

We remind you that in summer 2013 Russian-produced military transport helicopters took part in evacuation of people from the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand hit by a flood caused by rain showers. In February 2014 Mi-17V-5 helicopters evacuated about 200 residents of villages in the northern states of Jammu and Kashmir in the Himalayas, who became cut off from the rest of the region due to cold weather and heavy snowfall.

“Mi-17V-5 helicopters delivered to India are part of the legendary Mi-8/17 Family. They embody the best technical solutions of previous generations. All of the helicopters are equipped with a KNEI-8 avionics suite and a new PKV-8 autopilot, which helps reduce pilot’s workload and provides comprehensive flight information. In addition, the helicopters delivered to India are powered by advanced powerful engines expanding their capabilities in terms of transporting heavy and bulky loads, particularly in the high mountain terrain characteristic of northern India”, - the holding’s press-service added.