Royal Thai Army's new two Mil Mi-17V5 transport helicopters was delivered by Ilyushin IL-76TD Strategic Airlifter. Russian airline of Aviacon Zitotrans has landed heavy jet registration number 'RA-76842' at the U-Tapao International Airport, Royal Thai Navy Airfield in late December 2018.
The image can be seen, transport room of the aircraft carrier IL-76TD Aviacon Zitotrans Airlines of Russia has transported helicopters for general use Mil Mi-17V5 of the RTA (Royal Thai Army) which can be confirmed by camouflage colors and marks on the body of helicopter.
Making it understandable that this should be the Mi-17V5 is a new set of 2 units that the Royal Thai Army has ordered in the year 2017 to serve in 41st Aviation Battalion, Department of Aviation, Army Aviation Center.
The Royal Thai Army has provided the 16 Mi-17V5, previously active 5 helicopters divided into the first 3 sets of helicopters in 2008 active in the year 2011, second series 2 helicopters in 2014, when combined with the latest series 2 helicopters will be totally 7 helicopters.
Thailand also showed interest in Russian helicopters such as Ansat, Mil Mi-171A2 and Kamov Ka-32, according to Andrei Boginsky - Director of Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of the Russian security industry group Rostec - with TASS on 26 December 2018
"as far as Thailand is concerned. Ansat helicopters and Mi-171A2 have received a lot of attention. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) is interested in purchasing Ansat also includes Mi-171A2 in the search and rescue model," Boginsky said as he was on a visit to Thailand.
"In addition, we are in the process of negotiating the highly desirable Ka-32 helicopter sales in Thailand. In South Korea and China, Ka-32 can be used to extinguish fire. It has the ability to move the system to stop wildfire," added Boginsky. He recalled that the Russian Helicopters had previously reached an agreement to sell the 16 Mi-17V-5 to the Thai Army previously.
Under the previously agreed terms, Russian Helicopters have delivered two helicopters for general purpose Mi-17V-5 for the Royal Thai Army on 28 December. "They have been assembled and tested. The delivery process has been implemented. The helicopter has received acclaim to show victory (in Southeast Asia) is the way we understand it," emphasized Boginsky.
Previously, on November 26, 2018, Russian Helicopters organized a demonstration of their Ansat helicopters and Mi-171A2 helicopters at U-Tapao Airport. Naval Aviation Division of the Royal Thai Navy is part of the South Asian Heli Tour public relations campaign, in which Russian Helicopters bring both types of helicopter to connect with civilian customers and army groups in ASEAN countries in Southeast Asia both Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia
It is understood that the Thai Army has the need to supply additional 16 Mi-17V5 helicopters to replace the helicopters Boeing CH-47D Chinook. 9 used from United States to be in the General Support Wing (current 41st Aviation Battalion) has been redeemed with three UH-60A Black Hawk (Refurbished) general purpose helicopter.
Russian Helicopters and Datagate company, a Russian partner, have also looked at the possibility of creating a Russian helicopter service center in Thailand.
(AAG)