The armed forces of Rwanda took delivery of two Mi-17 multi-role transport helicopters, i-Mash reports with reference to Defenceweb.co.za.
The helicopters will be used for transporting passengers and cargo and supporting UNMISS. The helicopters painted in white UN livery were demonstrated to mass media at Kanombe air base (located near Kigali).
These are new helicopters. They will be based in South Sudan this month along with other helicopters of the type. In general, the number of Rwanda’s Mi-17 helicopters operated in South Sudan will reach 8 ones; the staff of the air base will be expanded from 119 to 225 persons.
The first three Mi-17s were deployed in South Sudan on December 27th 2012 in order to support UNMISS (UN mission in South Sudan). Later three more vehicles of the type joined them.
All of the abovementioned six helicopters were overhauled and upgraded several years ago via ASU Baltija Company (Lithuania). In particular, they were fitted with new weather radar, moving map, GPS navigation system, armor, night vision goggles, digital flight recorder and IR camera.
