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.
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.
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