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World Air Force News - Afghanistan
 
 
Russia will deliver 21 helicopters Mi-17V5 to Afghanistan in the first half of the year.
 
Russia will fulfill a contract to deliver 21 helicopters to Afghanistan in the first half of the year, the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service said on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Last May, the United States signed a $367.5 million contract with Russia to buy 21 Mi-17V5 military transport helicopters for the Afghan army.
     
Russia will fulfill a contract to deliver 21 helicopters to Afghanistan in the first half of the year, the Federal Military-Technical Cooperation Service said on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Last May, the United States signed a $367.5 million contract with Russia to buy 21 Mi-17V5 military transport helicopters for the Afghan army.
Mi-17-V5 transport helicopter at MAKS Air Show in Moscow
     

By December 30, 2011, nine helicopters were delivered to Afghanistan. They are currently being assembly and tested for flightworthiness.

“The remaining 12 Mi-17V-5 helicopters and related equipment will be delivered during the first half of 2012,” the service said.

The Mi-8MTV-5 (Mi-17-V5) is a radically modernized version of the Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter. The Mil Mi-8MTV-5 (Mi-17-V5) multipurpose helicopter is intended for rapid airlift of troop forces to a combat area in the daytime and at night and air fire support.


The Mi-17V5 version is equipped with a loading ramp instead of the clam-shell doors, an additional door and a new "dolphin nose".