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India Defence Online, New Delhi — The Indian Air Force (IAF) will start the induction of the first batch of Russian Mi-17 V5 helicopters from March 2011 onwards. The 80 Mi-17 choppers were contracted under the $1.34 billion deal which was signed in December 2008. Russia will also have an offset obligation to the tune of $405 million.
According to the Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony, the Mi-17 choppers will be utilised for special heliborne operations, air maintenance, and troop and equipment transport as well as search and rescue operations. The Mi-17 choppers will augment the medium-lift capability of the IAF and enable high altitude missions of the IAF. India had signed a deal with Russia two years ago to supply 80 Mi-17s to replace and augment its existing fleet of around 150 Mi-8 and Mi-17 medium-lift choppers.
While the first batch of the Mi-17 choppers will be inducted in May 2011, the remaining are likely to be inducted in phased manner in next four years, according to IAF officials. The deliveries of the 80 Mi-17 choppers will conclude by 2014. Along with the induction of the new choppers, the IAF is also planning to upgrade over 50 choppers from its existing fleet of Mi-8s and Mi-17s. “This will enhance the life of these Russian-origin choppers by at least another ten years,” IAF officials said. As for the Mi-17 choppers, they have been used to ferry troops and carry loads up to heights of 18,000 feet along the Line of Control. The Mi-17 chopper can carry 15 fully equipped troops and some of these choppers have been equipped with 57 mm rocket pods and machine gun.
A recent CAG report had criticised the IAF for maintaining only 74 per cent of required helicopters. Hence, the IAF needs to maintain a fleet of 425+ Helicopters against a present fleet of a little over 300 helicopters. In fact, an additional order of 59 Mi-17 besides the 80 choppers is on the anvil to replace 52 Mi17 helicopters acquired during the 1990s.
Indian defence news and strategic intelligence
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