Aircraft
India Explores New Helicopter Options with Russia
The two nations could cooperate on production of the Mi-17, Ka-226 and Ka-31
The Indian Air Force has ordered 151 Mil Mi-17V5s from Russian Helicopters since 2008. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)
The Indian Air Force has ordered 151 Mil Mi-17V5s from Russian Helicopters since 2008. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)

At the recent Aero India show in Bangalore, Russian Helicopters held further talks with Indian officials about possible licensed production of the Mi-17 and Ka-226, following the agreement in principle by the heads of state last December. According to authoritative sources, the Russian side also offered to supply “an improved version of the Ka-31 with higher performance.” The Indian navy operates approximately a dozen of these ship-based airborne early-warning and naval surveillance rotorcraft.


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