India to Buy 80 Mi-17-1V Helicopters

In October 2006, the Indo-Asian News Service reported that the Indian Air Force will buy 80 medium lift multi-role Mi-17 1V helicopters from Russia. India's Chief of Air Staff Marshal S.P. Tyagi reportedly told the news agency that the contractual detail would be finalized within a few months, that Russia will start delivering the helicopters in 2007, and that deliveries would finish within a year. MosNews estimates the deal's value at approximately $662 million, with the exact value depending on ancillary equipment like avionics.

The deal is the result of a dance over time involving both Sikorsky and India's HAL, and the Mi-17 1V incorporates a few changes to the well-known Mi-17 already in service with India. Of course, "a couple of months" in Indian procurement time turns out to be over a year, but there are reports that a firm deal is now ready for signing…

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