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12.01.2006 17:01:35
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Что бы мы делали без американского патриотизма
Iraq accepts Mi-17 transport helicopters
Grzegorz Holdanowicz JDW Correspondent
Warsaw
Iraq has accepted eight new Mil Mi-17 transport helicopters, which will provide the country's defence force with much-needed mobility in its primary role of operations against insurgents.
Seven of the medium transport helicopters (four Mi-171s and three Mi-17-1Vs) are fitted for troop deployment, while one Mi-17-1V is in a 14-person VIP transport configuration.
The remainder of the 10 helicopters ordered in February 2005 under a USD65 million contract were rejected because they were not new-build. The two aircraft, Mi-17-1Vs, may be available for delivery before the end of January once new TV3-117VM engines have been installed in place of refurbished powerplants.
The aircraft were built by Kazan Helicopters (Mi-17-1V) and Ulan Ude Aviation Plant (Mi-171).
The eight aircraft will all be airlifted to Iraq by the end of February but it is not known whether they will be based at the new Al Muthana Air Base (West Baghdad International Airport) or at Taji Air Base. Discussions are continuing between the Iraqi air force and Poland's Bumar, prime contractor for the purchase, on the possibility of ongoing personnel and crew training.
Iraqi interim President Sheikh Ghazi Ajeel al-Yawir said in September 2004 that the government was interested in "the delivery of some 40 transport helicopters as quickly as possible", preferably by mid-2005. Iraq rejected 24 second-hand Mi-17-1V transport helicopters, built between 1978 and 1992, that had been returned to almost zero flight hours condition by the St Petersburg Aviation Repair Company: a deal that would have been worth about USD95 million. Bumar is now in negotiation with Iraq and Russian partner companies on the possibility of exchanging the helicopters for 12 new-build aircraft.
Related Article:
Iraq boosts forces with 36 helicopters (jdw.janes.com, 03/08/05)
Mi-17 (jawa.janes.com)
Iraq has received eight new Mi-17 transport helicopters
(Source: Bumar)