Myanmar Interested in MI-17V5 Helicopters

A delegation from the Republic of Myanmar Defense Ministry, headed by Air Force Major General Khin Aung Myint, visited the Kazan Helicopters facility of the Russian Helicopters Holding.

The delegation inspected the facility's recently upgraded sites, including modular assembly and paint shops, as well as a stationary helicopter exhibition. The guests were presented Mi-17V-5 and Ansat helicopters in medical, passenger, and VIP versions. In addition, demonstration flights of the aforementioned helicopters were arranged specially for the delegation, Rostec said in a statement Friday.

"Today the Asia-Pacific region market is one of the most important for the Holding due to the constant demand for Russian helicopters. We are prepared to offer regional helicopter operators serial products and new-generation helicopters," Alexander Shcherbinin, Russian Helicopters' Deputy CEO for Marketing and Business Development, noted.

Nearly 1,500 fixed-wing aircraft made by Kazan Helicopters are operated in the Asia-Pacific region. The enterprise has been delivering Mi-17 type helicopters to Myanmar since 1995. Over the many years of cooperation, Myanmar's MoD has received almost 20 Mi-17 type helicopters in various versions. Moreover, the aircraft were supported with spare parts and training provided by foreign specialists.

This week the Myanmar MoD delegation is planning to visit Rostvertol to evaluate the enterprise's production facilities.

Currently, the Russian Helicopters Holding maintains four Mi-24P transport military helicopters that belong to the Myanmar Air Force within the framework of an agreement reached in 2015. The parties may conclude additional contracts subject to successful completion of the maintenance.