Helicopters for India will be built in Kazan

It became known in the beginning of December 2008 that Russia and India concluded delivery contract of 80 military-transport helicopters Мi-17В-5. But it wasn’t clear who would execute an order Kazan helicopter plant or Ulan – Ude aircraft plant. Today is clear that the contract will be executed in Kazan. The talks of the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and the prime minister of India Manmocham Singcha resulted in the conclusion of contract.

Generally the agreement on purchases of helicopters Мi-17 by the Indian air forces was reached in March 2007 at the meeting of Russian – Indian intergovernmental commission for military – technical cooperation. Negotiations were complicated but in August 2008 Commander in Chief of Indian air forces Faly Houmi Meidgor announced about entry to the final stage.

The landing – transport Мi -7В-5 is the modification of the helicopter Мi-8МТ developed with a glance of combat use. Particularly the time of landing is minimised that is important in the fight conditions. So 36 men can leave helicopter for 15 seconds. Besides Мi-17В-5 is equipped with landing system without parachute that let to implement simultaneous descent of 4 men.

There is the contest between Kazan and Ulan-Ude helicopter producers for the last years. It was suggested that Kazan and Ulan-Ude have equal chances in this contest. But Kazan helicopter plant’s deputy Director General for marketing and after-sales service said yesterday that the decision of production helicopters for India in Kazan was initial. It depends to a large extent on that this country hadn’t and hasn’t rotorcrafts of type Мi-17В-5 but Kazan has. And they showed themselves to a good advantage. The contract will be concluding during 2010-2013 years. Indian specialists will come to Kazan for acceptance of helicopters.

Vitalei Vasyutkin has emphasised: “Along with the Indian contract other contracts of various federal structures are executed and will be executed. And there is no wonder that Kazan helicopter plant doesn’t stop to employ skilled workers”.