Defense Acquisition Council of the Indian government approved purchase of 48 Russian-produced Mi-17V-5 helicopters worth $1,1 billion, Voenno-promishlenniy Courier reports with reference to Indiandefensenews.in.

«Defense Acquisition Council of the Indian government chaired by the Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar approved purchase of 48 Russian-produced Mi-17V-5 helicopters worth $1,1 billion,» said in the statement.

Earlier at Aero India 2015 Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev said: “India is considering purchase of more Mi-17V-5 helicopters for its Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs and government».

He reminded that over the last five years 121 Mi-17V-5 helicopters were delivered to India. «India operates over 300 Mi-17 helicopters,» Mikheev noted. The CEO added: “We are ready to deliver any number of helicopters. It depends on the budget and priorities of the Indian party,» Mikheev said.