Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Russia Delivers Mi-171 Helicopters To Iran

Russia Delivers Mi-171 Helicopters To Iran
(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN - January 29, 2009: Russia has started deliveries of Mi-171 Hip transport helicopters to Iran under a $45 million contract, the Fars news agency reported on Wednesday. They will be operated by Iran's Red Crescent for rescue missions and the evacuation of people injured in natural disasters. The Mil Mi-17 (also known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service, NATO reporting name ("Hip") is a Russian-designed helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. *The Mi-17 is also used for search and rescue team like Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department in Malaysia. *In October 2007 defense-aerospace.com reported the government of Saudi Arabia had signed a contract for up to 150 Mi-35 and Mi-17 helicopters worth $2.2billion. On 28 October 2008. *Royal Thai Army is proposes deal to buy 6 Mi-17 to meet its requirement of medium-lift helicopter. This is the first time in history Thai military buys aircraft from Russia. *A licensed production of the Mi-17 will start in China with production being led by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC and the Sichuan Lantian Helicopter Company Limited in Chengdu, Sichuan province. *On 15th December 2008, Defense News reported that India will purchase 80 Mi-17IV helicopters which will be delivered to Indian Air Force between 2010 and 2014. These will replace aging Mi-8s. Russia has already delivered two helicopters, and will supply another three to Tehran before the end of March. The contract was signed with the East Siberian Ulan Ude helicopter plant, which manufactures Mi-171 transport and Mi-171Sh combat/transport helicopters, in October 2007.

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