The Indian Air Force has long postponed a plan to buy 48 more Mi-17V5 helicopters from Russia, the agency reports. YEARS. About 10 years ago, India signed an agreement with Russia on the purchase of 80 Mi-17V5s, which entered service with the Air Force in batches. The decision to refuse to purchase 48 helicopters was taken in the context of the Indian authorities’ desire to replace imported products with local products.
The Mi-17V5 military transport helicopter is designed to transport personnel and cargo.
The Indian Air Force is actively working to acquire domestically-made weapons, including fighters and helicopters. The decision was made that the Air Force would support the local medium lift helicopter program, government sources told ANI. They noted that the decision to withdraw the tender was taken long before the start of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
India is one of the largest operators of the Mi-17V5 and Mi-17 helicopter fleet and uses them to fly its dignitaries including the country’s president and prime minister.
Read more about contracts for the supply of weapons in the publication “Kommersant” “We, as a developer, have done everything.”
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