Ulan Ude delivers the first of five Mi-171 helicopters to the Iranian Navy

Published: 1/14/2000

Ulan-Ude aviation plant on the 13th of January delivered to Iran, the first of five Mi-171 transport helicopters, the export version of the military Mi-8AMT. Iran's Navy ordered the helicopters from Ulan-Ude, under an agreement signed in November 1998, which required full delivery of the order, which according to the plant will be completed by the end of the first quarter, before payment was made. The plant therefore obtained credit for the contract from an undisclosed Moscow bank, in order to finance the aircraft production. Ulan-Ude plant believes that the contract will enable it to explore a new market for its production, so expanding its customer base and reducing its dependence on China as its main customer. The plant also expects to sign an agreement with Malaysia for the delivery of 40 Mi-8AMT (Sh) “ Terminator “ armoured military helicopters to the Royal Malaysian Air Force for the replacement of their Sikorsky S-61A fleet. Ulan-Ude has however, been involved in an acrimonious dispute between Mil and its other producer of Mi-17 series helicopters Kazan Helicopter Plant as to who should provide the helicopters for the potential contract. It appears that Ulan-Ude may have tried to pre-empt the dispute by negotiating a deal with local producer SME for ramps and avionics in addition to maintenance services and according to reports Mil prefer Ulan-Ude as producer for the contract. Kazan however, traditionally the export producer of the Mi-17 series with over 4500 exported, remains in the competition worth $200 million with the Mi-17KF. Other competitors include the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar and the Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk, although the latter two are reported to be seen as being considered too expensive for the RMAF.A decision is expected early in the new year with an initial order of six helicopters out of the total 40. Associated articles: www.concise.org 31st August 1999; 15th December 1999;

Article ID: 1314