Philippines set to procure Mil Mi-17 helicopters from Russia

Mil Mi-17 helicopter from Russia. Photo c/o Airplane Pictures.net.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign a contract for the procurement of 16 Mil Mi-17 medium helicopters worth Php12.5 billion (US$240 million) from Russian state arms export agency Rosoboronexport, as part of his visit to Moscow this week which includes meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As part of the deal, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will also get an additional helicopter for free. No mention was made on the exact variant of the Mi-17 that the PAF will be receiving

This will become the first major arms export of Russia to the Philippines, which traditionally get its arms supply from Western countries.

The medium helicopters will be the largest ever in PAF service, and will improve the PAF’s ability to provide mobility support during combat and peacetime operations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The Philippines is also expecting the delivery of 16 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk it ordered from US aviation giant Lockheed Martin. The helicopters will be built by Sikorsky’s Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec and will start delivery by 2020.


[1] Business Mirror