The deal for 48 Mi17V5 helicopters with Russia canceled, the Air Force will use the helicopter made in the country

In order to give a boost to the government's Make in India campaign, the IAF has decided to cancel the deal for 48 Mi17V5 helicopters from Russia. India had signed a deal with Russia 10 years ago to buy 80 helicopters, which were to be supplied in different consignments. 48 helicopters were yet to be delivered, but the IAF has decided to terminate the deal.

According to government sources, the Air Force will now use the helicopter made in the country. The decision to cancel the deal was taken before the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. The Mi-17V5 and Mi-17 are among the major countries operating helicopters.

This helicopter is also used for the movement of VVIP personalities including the President and the Prime Minister across the country. Not only this, this helicopter is heavily used in Siachen and Eastern Ladakh. It is also very useful in the high altitude areas of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.