India has issued a request for proposals for the overhaul of 30 Mil Mi-171V transport helicopters, with the work to be done outside India.

The work includes transporting the machines to an overseas location, where the main and tail rotors and storage batteries are to be replaced, according to the defence ministry's request. Other work will include replacing the aircraft's rubberised fuel tanks.

Other equipment that needs servcing includes winch assemblies, weapons and countermeasures systems.

The 30 Mi-171Vs have been operational for eight years and have recorded around 2,000 flying hours each. The Indian air force expects the overhaul of each helicopter to take 10 weeks.

Source: Flight International