Russia Delivers 5 Mi-171 Multirole Helicopters to Bangladesh

Mi-171Sh Bangladesh Air Force

Russia has delivered five Mi-171 multirole helicopters to Bangladesh, the aircraft’s manufacturer, Russian Helicopters, said in a statement Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — All the helicopters supplied to Bangladesh are equipped with modern navigation systems, which enable the aircraft to be operated at any time of the day and in any weather conditions, the company said.

“The Russian Helicopters holding has delivered a batch of five Mi-171Sh combat-transport helicopters  to the Bangladesh Defense Ministry. [The authorities] plan to involve the newly-acquired Mi-171Sh in carrying out UN humanitarian operations and missions in areas with high criminality, as well as performing the traditional tasks of cargo transportation and maintaining border security,” the statement reads.

The purchase of the helicopters by Bangladesh was financed by a state loan for the purchase of Russian military equipment. The contract was signed by Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport at the end of 2013.

According to the statement, Russian-made Mi-171 helicopters are in operation in a number of countries, including in China, Ghana, Indonesia, Peru, Brazil and Kazakhstan.

Press release RIA Novosti