NEW DELHI, December 28 (RIA Novosti) – The armed forces of Nepal have signed a deal with Russia’s state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport to buy two Mil Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters, the Himalayan Times has reported.
The agreement was signed on December 19. The country’s government, which had earlier allocated more than $30 million for purchasing helicopters for the armed forces, approved the deal earlier this week.
A military source familiar with the deal confirmed the information on Saturday but gave no further comments.
The armed forces of Nepal, which have no separate air force, have previously bought three Russian-made Mil Mi-8 helicopters.
The Mi-17V-5 is part of the Mi-8/17 family, members of which are used by more than 80 countries. It is designed for utility cargo work and can carry up to 36 passengers or four tons. The machine features advanced multifunction cockpit displays and upgraded TV3-117VM engines.
