Boost To ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’: IAF Reportedly Cancelled Plans To Buy 48 Mi-17 Helicopters From Russia

The Indian Air Force has opted to reject plans to buy 48 additional Mi-17 V5 helicopters from Russia in order to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India in Defense programme.

The decision to cancel the tender for 48 helicopters was made long before the war between Russia and Ukraine erupted, and it has nothing to do with the current global situation.

“Due to the push for indigenization, the tender for 48 Mi-17V5 helicopters has been withdrawn.” The IAF will now support an indigenous helicopter programme,” he said.

According to the sources, India has been working hard to indigenize the defence sector and has recently put on hold or cancelled a substantial number of import contracts.

Kazan, a city in southwest Russia, produces and manufactures the Mi-17V5. The Indian Air Force uses it as a contemporary military transport helicopter.

These helicopters are part of a wider family of high-performance, versatile Mi-17 helicopters that can fly at high altitudes in a variety of weather situations, including tropical and maritime climates, as well as desert environments.