Article Posted on : - Dec 16, 2008

File photo of MI-17. RIA Novosti image

MOSCOW (PTI): Russia today said that all the 80 'M-17' helicopters, contracted this month under a whopping $1.5bn dollar deal, would be delivered to India within the next to three years.

Director of Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Mikhail Dmitriyev said these new helicopters which would augment the ferrying capacity of the IAF considerably, would be supplied under the deal signed during President Dmitry Medvedev's maiden visit to New Delhi.

The value of the contract also includes the training of helicopter operating crew.

"Under the contract the Indian side will buy 80 M-17 military-transport helicopters on the turnkey basis. The deliveries will be carried over a span of 2-3 years and also includes the training of crews," Director of Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Mikhail Dmitriyev was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.

The range of action of the Mi-17 helicopters which are already in service with the IAF is over 700 km and the chopper can transport 4,000 kg of cargo in the cabin and another 4,500 kg hanging outside the helicopter.