New Mi-171 for Pakistan Army

[EIN]

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3 Mi-171 for PkAF today delivered on board An-124 from Czech Republic (planes.cz/en/photo/1064037/). Does anybody know if these are new helicopters, purchased by Pakistan or goes through any international bilateral support ?

[Myth_buster_1]

thanks for the picture

[owais.usmani]

[Patriot]

Hi,
Just a correction- They're not for Pakistan Air Force.They will be used by Pakistan Army Aviation Wing.
Thanks

[PAFAce]

Mi-17s are the work-hoses of Army Aviation right now. My respect for this platform has grown tremendously in the past few months. The Cobras, with all their might, used to overshadow the Mi-17 for military enthusiasts in Pakistan, however, after their utility in the recent operations, this platform has come into its own.

The Army's love affair with the Mi-17 has been justified. There have been a couple unpleasant incidences, but overall, it's performed as well as would be expected from something that wears the Pakistani flag.

[SSGPA1]

Purchased or leased?

[dk33]

Interesting in the context of this thread started by Cabtli:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/land-fo...iban-lair.html

[Penguin]

Mi-17s are the work-hoses of Army Aviation right now. My respect for this platform has grown tremendously in the past few months. The Cobras, with all their might, used to overshadow the Mi-17 for military enthusiasts in Pakistan, however, after their utility in the recent operations, this platform has come into its own.

The Army's love affair with the Mi-17 has been justified. There have been a couple unpleasant incidences, but overall, it's performed as well as would be expected from something that wears the Pakistani flag.

Why compare Cobra's (which are attack helicopters, with no utility role whatsoever) with Mi-17s (which are primarily transports, though they have some capability to carry armaments)? More interesting would be to compare Mi-17 with (Super) Puma, for example.

[S10]

I wonder if Pakistan can get its hands on some Blackhawks. Word is that in China the army is very fond of it, but had to resort to buying Mi-17 due to American sanction on parts. Out of the 20 originally purchased, only 1/4 are still flying.

[naseebkhanniazi]

i think pakistan try for better tigre blackhawk or turkes attack heli or chines z seres

[Super Falcon]

i think blackhawk are best for us but MI 17 is one of the best i think we should not stop buying MI 17 but we also buy black hawks along side MI 17 for utility
MI 17 Army 30 Airforce 20
Black Hawk Army 20 Airforce 10
Knight Hawk Navy 5
MI 24 Army 5 Navy 3 for heavy weapons tranfer

[Penguin]

i think pakistan try for better tigre blackhawk or turkes attack heli or chines z seres

Blackhawk, M-171 > utility helicopter, not attack
Tigre, T-129 > attack helicopters, not utility
Z-series: a mixed bag of different helicopter types (AH as well as UH and OH)

[zeshukhan]

KARACHI, March 17, 2008 (APP): A roll out ceremony was held upon completion of overhaul of first MI-171 helicopter of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Rotary Wing Centre of Excellence at 102 AED PAF Base Faisal.

This was stated in a press release of Directorate of Media Affairs, PAF, here on Monday. It said that the Air Officer Commanding Southern Air Command, Air Marshal Mirza Zafar Hussain, was the chief guest on the occasion. He was received by Group Captain Arshad Khalil, Officer Commanding No 102 AED, PAF.

The Officer Commanding No 102 AED highlighted the MI-171 helicopter history and its overhauling achievements at 102 AED, PAF. MI-171 helicopters were inducted in PAF in year 2002. MI-171 helicopter has a time between overhaul (TBO) of 1500 hrs.

The first PAF helicopter was inducted for overhaul in September 2007. The overhaul was jointly undertaken by a team of experts from 102 AED PAF Faisal and M/s Avia Export of Russia. Most of the inspections and structural repairs were under taken locally at rotary wing centre of excellence at 102 AED PAF Faisal.

However, some of the components were overhauled from M/s Avia Export of Russia. This achievement has further enhanced the capability of PAF for undertaking overhaul of yet another type of helicopter after Allouette III at PAF facilities.

In his address, the chief guest congratulated the officers of No 102 AED and lauded the efforts of M/s Avia Export. He added that without Russian experts support the accomplishment of this task could not have been possible.

Since most of the teething problems in setting up the General Overhaul facility has been resolved at No 102 AED, which also indicated the confidence of the depot in its professional depth, capabilities and potentials.

The ceremony was also attended by Base Commander and senior officers of PAF Base, Faisal, the press release further pointed out.

[fatman17]

^^^local over-hauls are very critical for the Mi-17s as more examples are being inducted in the PA/PAF.
Good Job by the maintenance crews - the un-sung heroes!

[S10]

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i think blackhawk are best for us but MI 17 is one of the best i think we should not stop buying MI 17 but we also buy black hawks along side MI 17 for utility
MI 17 Army 30 Airforce 20
Black Hawk Army 20 Airforce 10
Knight Hawk Navy 5
MI 24 Army 5 Navy 3 for heavy weapons tranfer

I'm not saying the Mi-17 is a poor choice. It's a very decent and capable platform. However, the UH-60 Blackhawk is stated to have better performance. This is made evident by the fact that Blackhawks are still being flown in China, despite access to Mi-17 and shortage of parts. Tibet arguably has the toughest enviromental condition in China for army aviation, and the army rather uses some 20 year old Blackhawks instead of new Mi-17 bought from Russia. That speaks volume to the capability of UH-60.