Russia's Rosoboronexport is to build and deliver additional Mi-17V-5 military helicopters for India by 2015, UPI reported. The Mi-17V-5 is the export variant of the Mi-8M helicopter and is called the Hip by NATO. It is a twin-turbine, medium lift transport aircraft that can also be used as a gunship. It has a maximum speed of 155 miles per hour and a range of 289 miles. Rosoboronexport said an agreement for the consignment was signed last month with the Indian Ministry of Defense during a visit to India by Russian President Vladimir Putin and comes under an overall contract for helicopters signed in 2008. "The visit of the Russian president to India resulted in the signing of a set of documents aimed at strengthening military-technical cooperation between Russia and India, including in helicopter manufacturing," the company said. "India is a traditional buyer of Russian aircraft and presently has a fleet of 280 Russian-made helicopters. The Russian delegation accompanying President Putin expressed its confidence that Russia is capable of fulfilling India's needs for both civil and military helicopters." The helicopters for India will be produced by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters.
