Thailand receives more Russian-built helicopters
Thailand now has ten Mi-17V-5 helicopters. (Russian Embassy in Thailand)
Russian Mi-17V-5 and American S-70i Black hawks are among the newest helicopters in Thai military service.
The Thai military has a hodgepodge of different helicopter platforms, and among the newest are three additional Mil Mi-17V-5 helicopters, bringing the Royal Thai Army’s (RTA) Russian-built fleet to ten such aircraft.
The delivery was announced on social media by the Russian Embassy in Thailand on 1 April. A formal handover ceremony took place at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airbase on 26 March, with the Russian Ambassador E.Y Tomikhin present.
These aircraft were contracted in December 2017, and are operated by the army’s 41st Aviation Battalion based in Lopburi. They are typically used for disaster relief missions, including in floods,
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Ukraine and Sweden mark first major step towards potential Gripen E export deal]()
Ukraine and Sweden mark first major step towards potential Gripen E export deal
The letter of intent, signed on 22 October, is the first move in a “long road” towards Sweden strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force with up to 150 Gripen aircraft.
-
![Shield AI unveils new autonomous VTOL fighter jet concept]()
Shield AI unveils new autonomous VTOL fighter jet concept
Named X-Bat, the AI-controlled vertical take-off and landing drone is expected to enter production by 2029, with first flight tests estimated to take place a year earlier.
-
![How satcom is shaping the future of fast, accurate warfare (podcast)]()
How satcom is shaping the future of fast, accurate warfare (podcast)
"Speed is the key advantage and accuracy is the key outcome": Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions’ Rick Freeman talks to Shephard’s Georgia Lewis about how space-as-a-service is transforming defence connectivity and access to satellite capabilities.
