Ulan-Ude delivers second batch of Mi-8AMTSh helicopters to Russian MoD

Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, JSC (UUAP), a part of Russian Helicopters holding, made a scheduled delivery of a batch of Mi-8AMTSh helicopters to the Russian Ministry of Defence. As announced previously, the plant delivered the first batch to the military department in December 2010.

The new delivery falls under the Government Defence Order (GDO) 2011. All helicopters were accepted by the customer's representatives in Ulan-Ude in mid-May. Then the helicopters went through preparation procedures to perform ferry flights to the Air Force military units. The rotorcraft left UUAP territory end-May. Same as the previous batch of helicopters, the new machines covered over 5000 km on their way.

The Mi-8AMTSh helicopter was passed into service by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in 2009. The helicopters delivered in 2009 and 2010 were praised by the military units operating them. The Ministry of Defence took this appraisal into account when placing a new Government Defence Order for helicopters.

According to operators the Mi-8AMTSh has outstanding performance and is very reliable and easy to operate. It can also perform a wide range of missions and can be operated in different climatic zones, any weather conditions, and any time of day. This model outperforms the regular Mi-8 and allows the Air Force to improve combat operations efficiency.

Mi-8AMTSh deliveries to the Russian Air Force under GDO 2011 are expected to be continued in the second half of 2011. The Ministry of Defence is currently evaluating the possibility to place a long-term GDO with UUAP.

The Mi-8AMTSh (Mi-171Sh) is a military transport helicopter based on the Mi-171 (Mi-8AMT) platform. The Mi-171Sh can be equipped with guided missiles (Shturm-B system), unguided rockets, canon armament, and defence systems. The helicopter can carry up to 37 troops, up to 4000 kg of cargo, 12 wounded on stretchers, and perform search and rescue operations (including CSAR).

The helicopter can destroy armor, firing points such as permanent firing position and earth-and-timber emplacements, enemy personnel under cover and other moving and stationary targets. Ulan Ude Aviation Plant's fixed wing aircraft technologies are applied to the manufacture of the Mi-171Sh, and this is one of the helicopter's key features.

Source: Russian Helicopters

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