US purchase $300 million worth of Mil Mi-17 Russian Helis

[Bot]

Russia, U.S. seal Afghan helicopter deal | Defense | RIA Novosti

USA and Russian federation signed a contract stipulating 21 Mi-17 helicopters accompanied by ground support equipment and maintaince suport for 300 billion dollars

 

[satish007]

300 billion,may be just 300 millions

 

[Bot]

Thank you friend thats a typing error i presume , as its 300 million int he title of the post.

 

[pmaitra]

An interesting excerpt from this article:

In May 2010, the United States lifted sanctions against Rosoboronexport that it had earlier blacklisted from tendering for U.S. arms deals. The sanctions were imposed in 2006 after the U.S. government accused Rosoboronexport of violating the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Despite the ban, dozens of Mi-17s have been bought by the United States for Afghanistan and Iraq over the past four years via intermediaries as commercial items, thus avoiding direct contacts with Rosoboronexport.

I.e., when there is will, there is a way!

 

[A.V.]

Just shows when the US needs they can manipulate it to their wills and provide any vague reason for it

 

[chex3009]

Just shows when the US needs they can manipulate it to their wills and provide any vague reason for it

A.V, Just watch this video and see what all US can do what it requires, and the way they do it.

 

[Armand2REP]

General Abdul Wahab Wardak, Chief of Staff of the Air Force in Afghanistan, earlier said the cost of one helicopter had been agreed at $17.5 million.

Damn... those Russian helos are as expensive as Eurocopter.

 

[smartindian]

Damn... those Russian helos are as expensive as Eurocopter.

armand2rep you can be a perfect salesman.... now tell me which company are you joining

 

[pmaitra]

Reproduced from a different thread:

Transport Helicopters

These are most likely to be the Mil-17 family of helicopters and will probably be sourced from the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.

Mi-171Sh Combat-transport helicopter

Mi-171Sh helicopter is a military-transport version of Mi-171 helicopter, which is one of the most intensively operated helicopters in its class. Mi-171 Sh helicopter was developed on the basis of comprehensive analysis of Russian helicopters' operation in combat activities in local armed conflicts. As the result, the Russian designers succeeded to create a helicopter able to effectively solve a wide range of tasks in the real combat conditions.

Mi-171Sh military-transport helicopter is a considerably new helicopter for the world market – it was first sold as recently as in 2002. Nevertheless, in a range of countries in South-Eastern and Central Asia, in Middle East and in Africa, in Europe (including the NATO countries) and CIS it has proved to be a reliable, effective in operation and simple in maintenance helicopter.

Purpose

• transportation and tactical assault landing of up to 36 troops;
• transportation of up to 12 casualties on stretchers, accompanied by medics;
• transportation of cargoes up to 4000 kg in cargo compartment;
• transportation of cargoes up to 4000 kg on external sling;
• highly-effective elimination of hostile manpower, armored vehicles, water surface targets, buildings, fortified firing point, and other movable and stationary targets.
• troop fire support
• escorting the military columns
• CSAR
• reconnaissance operations
• patrolling
• civil operations (search-and-rescue operations, firefighting, etc.)

In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, all kinds of military equipment, including Mi-171Sh, can only be supplied abroad by FSUE "Rosoboronexport", the Russian state special exporter.

Mi-171 helicopter in VIP-version



Mi-171 helicopter in VIP version is presently one of the most popular VIP helicopters of medium/heavy class. This helicopter is used for transportation of presidents, high-rank military and civilian officials, businessmen of many countries.

Comfortable conditions for work and rest in flight, high safety level, excellent performance – these are the most relevant constituents for the success of Mi-171 helicopter in VIP version.

The helicopter is designed for transportation up to 14 people accompanied by a flight attendant in increased comfort conditions.

Mi-171 helicopter has Type Certificate, issued by ARIAC, as well as Type Acceptance Certificates in a number of countries.

Comfortable VIP compartment

• large VIP compartment
• separate compartment for accompanying personnel
• separate VIP compartment
• individual compartment design
• finishing with high-quality materials
• air conditioning system
• heating system
• passenger address system
• low level of vibration
• low level of noise
• different kinds of lighting
• VIP sofas, VIP armchairs and extending tables
• satellite telephone
• conference communication system
• audio/video system
• external view camera
• mini bar
• coat room
• luggage compartment
• lavatory
• two entrance ramp doors (portside and rear)

Mi-171 multifunctional helicopter

Mi-171 helicopter is one of the most successful designs of the Russian helicopter-building school. This helicopter is the result of deep modernization of Mi-8, the largest quantity helicopter in the world with total flight hours over 100 million hours. Mi-171 helicopter incorporates the best qualities of its famous predecessor and at the same time it gained new capabilities due to introduction of modern technologies. Shortly the helicopter and its modifications were accepted for operation in more than 30 countries. Year after year the number of the countries, operating Mi-171 helicopter, grows bigger.

High performance, reliability, simplicity of operation and maintenance, employment in a wide range of operation conditions, multi-functionality, acceptable price – these are the properties of Mi-171 helicopter, that have won it the trust of Operators all over the world. Mi-171 helicopter has Type Certificate, issued by ARIAC, as well as Type Acceptance Certificates in a number of countries.

Purpose

• transportation of up to 37 troops/service passengers in full equipment on troop seats;
• transportation of 26 people on passenger seats;
• transportation of cargoes with weight up to 4000 kg in cargo compartment;
• transportation of cargoes with weight up to 4000 kg on external sling;
• search-and-rescue operations;
• firefighting;
• patrolling;
• transportation of up to 12 casualties on stretchers, accompanied by medical staff;
• emergency medical care in field conditions;
• lifting, loading and unloading the cargoes in flight.

Mi-171 helicopter enters "100 best merchandises of Russia, 2010"

 

[Armand2REP]

Just shows when the US needs they can manipulate it to their wills and provide any vague reason for it

US needed access to Astan through Russia, they buy Afghan and Iraqi Mi-17s in exchange. If they want to move weapons through Russia to replace Pak, they will have to do more.

 

[pmaitra]

US needed access to Astan through Russia, they buy Afghan and Iraqi Mi-17s in exchange. If they want to move weapons through Russia to replace Pak, they will have to do more.

Not quite. These Russian helos are indeed very rugged and versatile. They have seen use in Afghanistan since the USSR army got deployed in Afghanistan to help the DRA government fight against the Mujahideen. The Americans have always wanted to buy Russian helos because they have always produced the best helos in the world, but for the hawks in the US government who won't have anything Russian or Soviet because they are the 'evil commies', even if their products are significantly better.

Same story about why the US chose M16 over the Kalashnikov or FN-FAL.

An interesting excerpt from this article:

In May 2010, the United States lifted sanctions against Rosoboronexport that it had earlier blacklisted from tendering for U.S. arms deals. The sanctions were imposed in 2006 after the U.S. government accused Rosoboronexport of violating the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Despite the ban, dozens of Mi-17s have been bought by the United States for Afghanistan and Iraq over the past four years via intermediaries as commercial items, thus avoiding direct contacts with Rosoboronexport.

I.e., when there is will, there is a way!

 

[Armand2REP]

Not quite. These Russian helos are indeed very rugged and versatile. They have seen use in Afghanistan since the USSR army got deployed in Afghanistan to help the DRA government fight against the Mujahideen. The Americans have always wanted to buy Russian helos because they have always produced the best helos in the world, but for the hawks in the US government who won't have anything Russian or Soviet because they are the 'evil commies', even if their products are significantly better.

Same story about why the US chose M16 over the Kalashnikov or FN-FAL.

Not quite, the first purchase of Mi-17 helicopters coincided with the agreement for the ISAF supply corridor through Russia. The fact they were blacklisted doesn't have anything to do with third-party transfers as obvious by the results.

 

[pmaitra]

Not quite, the first purchase of Mi-17 helicopters coincided with the agreement for the ISAF supply corridor through Russia. The fact they were blacklisted doesn't have anything to do with third-party transfers as obvious by the results.

Unless there is enough proof, it is mere speculation.

MIL helicopters are also being used by many NATO countries and they have not discontinued them. If these helicopters were not good enough, they would have sold them to the Afghans and purchased other helicopters from US or Europe. Instead, they chose to retain many of these helicopters and the US has to seek helicopters directly from Russia.

 

[Armand2REP]

Unless there is enough proof, it is mere speculation.

MIL helicopters are also being used by many NATO countries and they have not discontinued them. If these helicopters were not good enough, they would have sold them to the Afghans and purchased other helicopters from US or Europe. Instead, they chose to retain many of these helicopters and the US has to seek helicopters directly from Russia.

The US does not seek helicopters for NATO allies, they seek their own helicopters. Poland bought 5 used 18 yr old Mi-17V because they were dirt cheap, Slovakia still uses them from the Cold War but soon to phase out, Turkey is pretty pissed at their used Mi-17s as they don't work and Russia says they won't honour a maintenance contract because they bought them from an illegal entity = total waste of money, Latvia had some transferred from the Czechs but phasing out, Czechs repair their own from the Cold War, Croatia got some virtually free from a Yugoslav debt they owed them. Turkey has since received 30 Cougars from France to replace her inoperable Mils and it is only a matter of time before cash-strapped Iron Curtain nations have no choice but to replace them. No one is buying new helicopters from Russia in NATO unless they are freebies (Croatia).

No one said they do not work... except the Turks.

The point is at a $17.5 million price tag, they are not viable alternatives and the US Congress has been shut-up by the administration to deal with it. Pretty clear why...

 

[pmaitra]

The US does not seek helicopters for NATO allies, they seek their own helicopters. Poland bought 5 used 18 yr old Mi-17V because they were dirt cheap, Slovakia still uses them from the Cold War but soon to phase out, Turkey is pretty pissed at their used Mi-17s as they don't work and Russia says they won't honour a maintenance contract because they bought them from an illegal entity = total waste of money, Latvia had some transferred from the Czechs but phasing out, Czechs repair their own from the Cold War, Croatia got some virtually free from a Yugoslav debt they owed them. Turkey has since received 30 Cougars from France to replace her inoperable Mils and it is only a matter of time before cash-strapped Iron Curtain nations have no choice but to replace them. No one is buying new helicopters from Russia in NATO unless they are freebies (Croatia).

No one said they do not work... except the Turks.

The point is at a $17.5 million price tag, they are not viable alternatives and the US Congress has been shut-up by the administration to deal with it. Pretty clear why...

I still do not see how that implies Mi-17s are being purchased by US because Russia is offering transit through their territory. Why aren't they purchasing other Russian weapons systems as well? Why are they not placing orders for Kalashnikovs from Izhmash, instead producing Kalashnikov clones in the US itself? Many Americans own Kalashnikovs but not the US army? Why?*

Obviously there is a bias against purchasing from Russia, even if they are capable systems, simply because they are Russian.

* - AK47 Varieties made in the United States

 

[Armand2REP]

I still do not see how that implies Mi-17s are being purchased by US because Russia is offering transit through their territory. Why aren't they purchasing other Russian weapons systems as well? Why are they not placing orders for Kalashnikovs from Izhmash, instead producing Kalashnikov clones in the US itself? Many Americans own Kalashnikovs but not the US army? Why?*

Obviously there is a bias against purchasing from Russia, even if they are capable systems, simply because they are Russian.

* - AK47 Varieties made in the United States

The US government will never purchase Russian weapons for themselves. I have no idea why you list private AK-47 knock-offs providing sales to enthusiasts. Why doesn't Russia place orders to Izhmash for AK-47s since US gun owners like them? Because they are OBSOLETE.

Obviously Russian equipment is OBSOLETE which is why the US military doesn't buy it for itself. Eastern Europe doesn't get it unless it is practically free. The US transfers it to their puppet states because they need Russia as a supply line, it is the only thing Russia gets out of the deal. To my original point, if they are going to replace Pakistan as a supply route, they are going to have to give more.

 

[pmaitra]

The US government will never purchase Russian weapons for themselves. I have no idea why you list private AK-47 knock-offs providing sales to enthusiasts. Why doesn't Russia place orders to Izhmash for AK-47s since US gun owners like them? Because they are OBSOLETE.

Many of these enthusiasts are actually ex-servicemen and do understand guns pretty well. I personally know many such people, if you want to believe me. They are free citizens and are not bound by Congressional regulations, unlike the army, that is forced to use Stoner design, just like they had to use John Browning design earlier when a better design, the Lee-Enfield was already available. It has a lot to do with preserving domestic employment. It is not about quality.

Obviously Russian equipment is OBSOLETE which is why the US military doesn't buy it for itself. Eastern Europe doesn't get it unless it is practically free. The US transfers it to their puppet states because they need Russia as a supply line, it is the only thing Russia gets out of the deal. To my original point, if they are going to replace Pakistan as a supply route, they are going to have to give more.

If you say AK-47 is obsolete, I might agree. But if you generalise, then you simply don't know what you are talking about.

For example, AK-74 is a rather effective weapon even now although it was introduced during the Soviet-Mujahideen War. Look for 'the poison bullet' here: Kalashnikov AK-74. Pretty damn effective and does its job well, much better than its European or American contemporaries. I could slide on the FN-FAL.