October 19, 2006: India is buying 80 Russian Mi-17-1V transport helicopters. This a very popular helicopter, and is the export version of the 1960s era Mi-8. The Mi-17 is about twice the size and weight of the American UH-1, but only hauls about 50 percent more cargo. However, the Mi-17 has a larger interior, and can carry 24 troops, versus a dozen in the UH-1. The UH-1 was replaced by the UH-60 in the 1980s, while the Mi-8/17 just kept adding better engines and electronics to the basic Mi-8 frame. But the UH-60, while weighing as much as the UH-1 (4.8 tons), could carry as much as the 12 ton Mi-8. But the Mi-8 costs about half as much as a UH-60, and the larger interior is popular with many users. Nearly 3,000 Mi17s have been exported, out of 12,000 produced to date.
India is getting a good price for their M-17s, about nine million dollars each. The 1V version they ordered has an enlarged door, with a loading ramp, instead of the usual cargo hold doors. This arrangement makes if quicker and easier to load and unload troops and supplies. India already has about 150 Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters.
