Peru may buy 24 Mil Mi-171 helicopters

Peru is considering buying another 24 Mil Mi-171 Hip helicopters from Russia in a contract worth $406.8 million. If the contract is signed, the first 21 will be delivered in 2014 and the remaining 3 helicopters in 2015.

The Mi-171 is already in service with the Peruvian armed forces. Russia delivered 6 Mi-171 helicopters in 2009. The helicopters are to be used in the fight against terrorists and drug traffickers.

The Mi-171 is a variant of the Mi-17, which are export designations based on the original Mil Mi-8. All are medium-sized, transport and utility helicopter and one of the most numerous helicopters of all time.

Many variations are in use by many countries all over the world. It is not unusual to see both sides of an armed conflict use the same helicopter from the Mil family. Its specifications are:

• a crew of 3
• a length of 18.47 m
• a rotor diameter of 21.25 m
• a height of 4.76 m
• an empty weight of 7489 kg
• a maximum takeoff weight of 13000 kg
• a payload of 4000 kg (internal) or 5000 kg (external)
• a speed of 250 km/hr
• a range of 465 km
• a ceiling of 6000 m

The Mi-171 is powered by 2 Klimov TV3-117VM turboshafts, each producing 1633 kW (2190 shp).

The Mi-171 can be armed with gunpods, rockets and bombs. The Mi-24 Hind is an gunship / attack helicopter variant whose roots can be traced back to the Mi-8.


http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130331/180352675/Peru-to-Buy-24-Russian-Helicopters--Media.html

By ILA-boy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons