Russian helicopters arrive in India

[Galaxy]

Russian helicopters arrive in India

Sep 30, 2011

The first batch of the Russian Mil Mi-17B5 helicopters has arrived at an air base in the Indian northwestern state of Punjab.

For years, India's air forces have been using Russian Mil Mi-17 helicopters in the conditions of rough mountain terrain in the states of Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

The recent batch consists of upgraded versions of the helicopter to be used for the transportation of troops and military vehicles and for rescue and emergency operations.

The contract for the supply of 80 helicopters worth $1,354bln was clinched in 2008.

All assembly work and checks will be performed by Russian experts accompanying the cargo.

Russian helicopters arrive in India: Voice of Russia

 

[Godless-Kafir]

Well its a regular Mi-17 with a nose job? Usually our helicopters also have diffusers but this one does not seem to have one?

 

[Godless-Kafir]

Also at 17 million a pop we could have considered other newer rivals like NH90 which is 18 million and looks more advanced.!

 

[bhramos]

Russian helicopters arrive in India

Sep 30, 2011

The first batch of the Russian Mil Mi-17B5 helicopters has arrived at an air base in the Indian northwestern state of Punjab.


Russian helicopters arrive in India: Voice of Russia

its Mil-17V5 not B5,

 

[Blackwater]

Well its a regular Mi-17 with a nose job? Usually our helicopters also have diffusers but this one does not seem to have one?

Iam sure there will be lot of other goodies in new chopper than just nose change..

 

[mayfair]

Also at 17 million a pop we could have considered other newer rivals like NH90 which is 18 million and looks more advanced.!

NH90 unit cost is more like €16 million ($21.5 million), while Mi-17V5s are cheaper (~$15 million a piece, the deal was $1.2billion for 80 machines and not the price quoted above), tried and tested in Indian terrain. Germans have reported quite a few issues with the NH90 performance as well.

My biggest gripe is that the initial price agreed was $650 million for 80 copters before Russians being their usual selves demanded $1.2 billion. This bellendry by the Russians and us timidly agreeing to being shafted everytime is infuriating to say the least.

 

[pmaitra]

Were these made in Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant or Ulan Ude Helicopter Plant? Could someone confirm?

 

[plugwater]

Also at 17 million a pop we could have considered other newer rivals like NH90 which is 18 million and looks more advanced.!

This is a stop gap purchase until we develop our IMRH, since we operate Russian helicopters for decades it will reduce the logistics headache as well as we dont need to build an entire infrastructure for NH90 just for few years.

IMRH is the future for us in medium lift helicopter category.

 

[mayfair]

IMRH is the future for us in medium lift helicopter category.

And still on the drawing board. Given the present state of affairs, expect it to stay there for years. What a joke we are.

 

[Ray]

The Russian helicopters are as good as trucks, but my experience is that they are reliable.

 

[p2prada]

The Mi-17 is easily the most reliable heli in it's class out there.

 

[Galaxy]

IAF to induct first batch of Russian choppers by mid-October

NEW DELHI: Augmenting its chopper fleet, the Indian Air Force will induct the first batch of Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 helicopters by mid-October. In 2008 signed a deal with Russia to induct 80 Mi-17 V5 helicopters

"We are going to induct the first batch of Mi-17 V5s from Russia by the second week of the month, and by March next year we will have 26 of them," an IAF official said. First few helicopters would be sent to the northeast sector and will be deployed at the Bagdogra air base under the 156 helicopter Unit.

The compliment of all 80 helicopters is likely to be inducted by late 2013 or early 2014, IAF sources said.

The IAF is also looking to induct another 59 such choppers to replace the older Mi-17 variants and the Mi-8 choppers.

More at IAF to induct first batch of Russian choppers by mid-October - The Economic Times

 

[plugwater]

And still on the drawing board. Given the present state of affairs, expect it to stay there for years. What a joke we are.

Hal wants everything(Even light heli, basic trainer etc) under their control, which is not a good idea, better they outsource some of them.

 

[bhramos]

hi could anyone tell me exact number of choppers arrived????