Russia Willing to Supply 250 Modernized Mi-8 Helicopters To India

Russia can supply 250 modernized Mi-8 transport helicopters to India if requested.

“Our capabilities are widely known: we can deliver up to 250 of just the Mi-8 helicopters a year,” Andrey Shibitov, Deputy Head of Russian Helicopters design and manufacturing company was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti last Thursday.

India’s fleet of Russian-made Mi-8s is in need of replacement.“We are prepared to offer the next upgraded version. I think this will interest the Indian side, so we hope to continue cooperating,” Shibitov said speaking during the sixth international industrial exhibition Innoprom-2015 in Yekaterinburg.

India currently has 300 Mi-8 and export designed Mi-17 in service with the Air Force. Russia has supplied about 121 Mi-17V-5 to Indian Air Force over the past five years.