Kazan Helicopters has built its 3,500th export-version Mil Mi-8/17, one of 151 Mi-17V-5s ordered by India’s armed forces since 2008. According to Kazan parent company Russian Helicopters, more than 250 Soviet- and Russian-built Mil helicopters are operating in India. The first Mi-4s were delivered in January 1961, followed by Mi-26s, Mi-24/35s and Mi-8/17s. The Indian Mi-17V-5s are powered by Klimov VK-2500 turboshafts, a high power derivative of the Klimov ТV7-117VMA engine suitable for hot and high conditions, and feature a KNEI-8 avionics suite and a new PKV-8 autopilot.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
