At the recent Aero India show in Bangalore, Russian Helicopters held further talks with Indian officials about possible licensed production of the Mi-17 and Ka-226, following the agreement in principle by the heads of state last December. According to authoritative sources, the Russian side also offered to supply “an improved version of the Ka-31 with higher performance.” The Indian navy operates approximately a dozen of these ship-based airborne early-warning and naval surveillance rotorcraft.
“We and our Indian partners are in discussions on a follow-on contract for one more batch of the Mi-17V5,” said Alexander Mikheyev, general manager of Russian Helicopters. But, he added, “The Mil design house is working on new versions of the Mi-17 with improved hot-and-high performance, the key to further sales into India.” The company has already delivered 121 Mi-17s to India. The original agreement signed in 2008 specified 80 aircraft, but the Indians have since exercised three options, bringing to 151 the current total to be received. These helicopters are delivered in a customized Indian version, including a glass cockpit from Russian Avionics. India has more than 300 Mi-8/17s.
02/03/15 Vladimir Karnozov/AINonline
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
“We and our Indian partners are in discussions on a follow-on contract for one more batch of the Mi-17V5,” said Alexander Mikheyev, general manager of Russian Helicopters. But, he added, “The Mil design house is working on new versions of the Mi-17 with improved hot-and-high performance, the key to further sales into India.” The company has already delivered 121 Mi-17s to India. The original agreement signed in 2008 specified 80 aircraft, but the Indians have since exercised three options, bringing to 151 the current total to be received. These helicopters are delivered in a customized Indian version, including a glass cockpit from Russian Avionics. India has more than 300 Mi-8/17s.
02/03/15 Vladimir Karnozov/AINonline
