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India Defence Online, New Delhi — Indo-Russian military ties are set to grow stronger as India will soon order an additional 59 Russian Mi-17 helicopters from Russia. This decision to acquire 59 helicopters on top of the 80 helicopters ordered earlier has been taken by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The defence acquisition council has cleared the proposal and the request will be forwarded to the cabinet committee on security clearance soon.
The IAF has been trying to augment its fleet of medium-lift helicopters and the acquisition of an additional 59 Mi-17 helicopters aims to fulfil that mission. The existing fleet of medium-lift helicopters will be phased out soon. The Mi-17 helicopters will enhance the IAFs capability to carry out missions in high-altitude areas and relief operations. India had signed a deal with Russia in 2008 to supply 80 Mi-17s to augment its existing fleet of around 150 Mi-8 and Mi-17 medium-lift choppers. These helicopters have over five tonne load carrying capability and are also used to ferry troops.
Meanwhile, India will start receiving the first of 80 Mi-17 transport helicopters from Russia by the end of this year. The remaining helicopters are likely to be inducted in a phased manner in next four years.
Russia continues to supply India with major military hardware and the recent order for more medium-lift helicopters is a sure sign of growing Indo-Russian ties. The IAF has also signed a contract with Rosoboronexport of Russia to upgrade its fleet of vintage MiG-29 fighters and IL-76 airlifters, while the Indian Navy has placed an order for 45 MiG-29K carrier-borne fighter jets. The life extension of IL-76 aircraft will involve a complete overhaul of the airframe at the manufacturer’s premises in Russia. In addition, the IAF’s recent request for 42 Su-30MKI fighters has been cleared by the Indian Defence Ministry.
Indian defence news and strategic intelligence
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