11-Nov-2007 In October 2006, the Indo-Asian News Service reported that the
Indian Air Force will buy 80 medium lift multi-role Mi-17 1V helicopters from Russia. India’s Chief of Air Staff Marshal S.P. Tyagi reportedly told the news agency that the contractual detail would be finalized within a few months, that Russia will start delivering the helicopters in 2007, and that deliveries would finish within a year. MosNews estimates the
deal’s value at approximately $662 million,
with the exact value depending on ancillary equipment like avionics.(…)
The Mi-17 isn’t just popular with India, however, and recent wins indicate that Russia may have a strong commercial winner on its hands. The American UH-60 is more expensive than the Mi-17, and lacks the tactical flexibility of its rear ramp option. The European NH90 is more expensive still, and offers greater capabilities – but suffers from serious delivery and availability problems.
The Mi-17, in contrast, offers comparable performance for less, no political restrictions on their use, greater integrated armament capabilities than its competitors, optional versions that include western engines and avionics, and availability that has remained good thus far. While strong competition can also be expected from Eurocopter’s Puma family, the Mi-17 looks set to remain a strong export success.
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