India’s New VVIP Helicopter

The AW101 in Indian Air Force colours on the cover of the latest issue of Vayu magazine.
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10 thoughts on “India’s New VVIP Helicopter”

  1. Nice. Deals to purchase VIP helos and planes get approved in a jiffy while IAF combat pilots have to wait for a decade to get fighters to fly on. This shows a lot about the mentality of our Ministry of (Political)Defence.

    I wonder what the IAF pilots flying these things will think, when the realise this is what should have been bought to replace the old Mi-8s instead of more outdated Russian helicopters.

  2. ^^Dear Gautam,
    The Mi-8 is being replaced by the Mi-17 in IAF service. Now if you think that Mi-17 are outdated Russian choppers thats your problem. It is a completely new machine with new powerplants and avionics, it is also incidently the largest selling military helicopter in the world. Even NATO is using it in challenging conditions in Afghanistan. Yankee lover boys should do their homework before writing their love-letters

  3. ^^Dear Gautam,

    The Mi-8 in IAF service are being replaced by Mi-17V5, and to call them outdated is a joke. Its a completely new machine with new engines, avionics and airframe. Incidentaly, Mi-17 is the most widely used chopper in the world with legendry service record and needs no certificate from amateurs. Why, even your beloved Uncle SAM uses it in Afghanistan. Yankee fanboys need to do some homework before writing love letters in public forums.

  4. The US uses Mi-17s because they are cheaper to operate and more versatile than the UH-60 Blackhawk in a lower-threat environment with no hostile SAMs or fighters.

    But if it's the best then why haven't our netas bought VIP versions of the Mi-17(Mi-171) instead? Because choppers like the EC735 and AW101 are superior, and with the price escalation on the Mi-17 they're not all that much more expensive.

    And again, why is it that deals for VIP planes like this one quickly signed and delivered while the IAF has to wait half a decade for fighters and helicopters (Tenders for light utility, heavy-lift and attack helicopters have all been delayed since 2006).

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