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Bangladesh inks order for five Mi-171Sh helicopters

The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) inked an order for five Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters from Russian Helicopters on Monday, June 12.

In a statement released by Bangladesh’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the agreement was signed at the BAF Air Headquarters with the BAF leadership and Russian Embassy officials in attendance.

In December, Bangladesh’s Minister of Law Anisul Huq disclosed that several big-ticket acquisitions will be finalized in the fiscal year of 2016-2017.

Six Mi-171Sh helicopters – along with eight multi-role combat aircraft, two maritime search and rescue helicopters, a medium-range surface-to-air missile system and unmanned aerial vehicle system – are in the procurement roadmap. It seems the BAF has finalized the Mi-171Sh helicopter requirement.

As per Flight Global, the Bangladesh Air Force operates 33 Mi-17 and Mi-171 helicopters.

The Mi-171 is one of the most popular medium-lift helicopter platform. In its baseline configuration, the Mi-171 can reach a top speed of 280 km/h and flight ceiling of 6,000 m. With a maximum take-off weight of 13,000 kg, the Mi-171 has an internal payload of 4,000 kg, which can be increased to 5,000 kg if using an external sling. It can ferry up to 36 troops or 12 stretchers (for medical evacuation). Besides transport, the Mi-171 can also be armed with guns and rockets.

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8 Comments

  • by Steve
    Posted June 16, 2017 3:01 pm 0Likes

    BD does need more helicopters and they have opted for the most popular dual purpose machine available. These will double up for civilian flood relief as BD is very prone to flooding thanks to nature and upstream mischief by the usual culprit, who Hasina thinks are her saviours. She is opting for rabble rousing populism and rhetoric to strengthen her rule. A recent article by the Bangladeshis shedding light on the subject.

    http://www.banglajol.info/index.php/JSF/article/download/14614/10371

  • by Headstrong
    Posted June 16, 2017 7:28 pm 0Likes

    And here you are, spewing against India again! ‘Steve’, this is unhealthy.

  • by Steve
    Posted June 17, 2017 6:34 am 0Likes

    It may be unhealthy from your POV but it is true nonetheless lol. We need to counter your huge propoganda effort about India being “lovely, kind, colourful, multicultural, democratic” etc etc. People need to see the true face which we see. Stop creating problems for smaller neighbours and bullying them and there will be peace. Read what the BD experts themselves say. You need to recognise that India is aggressive and hegemonic in the region and nobody likes that.

  • by Headstrong
    Posted June 17, 2017 10:37 am 0Likes

    Man, you are one obsessed individual! So much hate. On an article which has nothing to do with India. But then, I guess that’s normal for you people.

    Well, all the best with that

  • by Mohsin Ali
    Posted June 17, 2017 9:02 pm 0Likes

    But u have admit that India is doping a huge propaganda about its common perception in the world .

  • by Steve
    Posted June 18, 2017 11:58 am 0Likes

    Commiserations mr Headstrong better luck next time. Never underestimate Pakistan in anything.

  • by Headstrong
    Posted June 18, 2017 12:54 pm 0Likes

    Somehow I expected a comment from you immediately 🙂

    Anyway, well played. Quite a turnaround – but well deserved.

  • by Kazmi
    Posted June 18, 2017 1:23 pm 0Likes

    Plato says,”States are naturally hostile to each other.” Why? because they have their own interests that may be coinciding or conflicting with others and each state is duty bound to protect her interests. As for as Bangladesh is concerned, the country has very important geographical position on the globe and extremely tough terrain in many ways that is geographically. climatic conditions, natural calamities and catastrophes. There is no denying the fact that the country does not enjoy the good relations with neighboring countries India and Myanmar. So Bangladesh has to cater for the conflicting interest with the neighbors as well. Although Bangladesh is doing extremely well in safe guarding her interests and needs a lot to do and has the legitimate right to do so. This again is note worthy that BD’s inclination towards China in per suite of military hardware cautions India which may lead to serious conflict in the coming years. So, BD needs to focus on her foreign policy as well to maintain the consistency of strengthening the defense and economy and maintaining the peace and stability of the country.

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