OREANDA-NEWS. November 17, 2011. Rosoboronexport has supplied the first batch of Mi-17V-5 multirole utility helicopters to India as part of the contract signed in 2008.

The aircraft were assembled at the Kazan helicopter factory.

The contract is another proof to the fact that the RW aircraft sector is emerging rapidly as a priority for the Russia’s defense exporter. Indeed, helicopter sales are rising annually, with the latest modifications of the Mi-17 family accounting for a significant part of them.

In fact, Mi-17 has evolved to become a symbol of the Russian air industry. The never-ending demand for this aircraft is explained by its integrating most cutting edge technologies, combat proven in all military and peacekeeping operations in the second half of the 20th century. The up-to-date helos are powered by new engines and feature innovative avionics, while also inheriting the key features of the family – outstanding reliability and maintainability. Placed among the best in its class, the chopper is equally effective in most adverse climates and terrains including sea, desert, mountains and jungles of Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Now the Mi-17V-5 helicopters are entering the Indian Armed Forces. One of the leaders on the emerging market of the Asia-Pacific region, India has been Russia’s strategic partner, including in defence sphere, ever since 1961 – for exactly fifty years – when the first Mi-4 helicopter was shipped to the country. The trend that is traced back then, continues today: both nations attach paramount importance to this cooperation.

Nowadays it is exactly the area, where the most large-scale bilateral projects in aircraft making were launched recently.

The one most frequently mentioned is the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, which was given go-ahead in December 2010, during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to India. Now both parties are largely involved in the development of the new generation fighter jet.

Yet another promising project is the Multirole Transport Aircraft to be commissioned for service with the Air Forces of Russia and India. The plane is to be employed both in military and commercial roles.

The Su-30MKI offset deal with HAL is a positive example of technology transfer coupled with equipment sales. The fighters do a very good job, protecting India’s air borders, their upgrade in plans for the near future.

The scale of joint programs, technology transfer and licenses for aircraft production are the manifestation of a really strategic level of partnership between the two nations. JSC Rosoboronexport seeks to intensify this cooperation, investing in future bilateral deals and defense technologies. Simultaneously Rosoboronexport is offering a long range of state-of-the-art aircraft. Very positive shifts are in store in this sector, as the Indian Armed Forces voiced a need for more advanced weapons.

For example, the Indian military pays attention to the Il-76/78 transport and tanker planes, which have earned a good reputation in the country. Rosoboronexport has offered upgrades of these multirole aircraft, including new avionics and more economical PS-90A-76 engines that meet ICAO noise and emission requirements. A sheer advantage of the plane is that it can take off and land on unpaved airfields, not to mention that India has got a vast infrastructure and a wealth of experience to work with them.

Indian specialists were fascinated by the Be-20 amphibian, which can be equipped with present-day open architecture surveillance and acquisition devices for maritime patrol, SAR, transport and medevac roles. Be-200 is really a unique aircraft that proved outstandingly efficient in fire fighting in service with Russia’s Emergencies Ministry.

Rosoboronexport is also offering up-to-date training aids and extensive upgrade programs for earlier delivered helicopters, which are set to bring dramatic improvements to their performance. Company’s specialists react promptly to meet the desires of the Indian clients, doing their utmost to expand a transparent, fruitful and mutually-beneficial cooperation.