The Indian Air Force proposed to buy 48 more Mi-17 helicopters from Russia for a total cost of $1.1 billion, according to the Monday edition of the Economic Times of India.
This proposal goes against the concept of “Make in India”, which the current government is pursuing, but the purchase may be necessary to complete the country’s air-transport fleet.
According to the newspaper, the Indian Air Force plans to order 48 Mi-17V-5 helicopters. The military plans to use these helicopters for flights in various geographic and climatic zones – both in the desert and in the mountains.
India is one of the largest importers of Russian helicopters and other equipment. During the last five years, Russia supplied India with 121 Mi-17V-5 helicopters. In total, India flies more than 300 Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters.
First published in Russian by RIA Novosti.
All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
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