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,
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK A400M Saudi deployment highlights airlifter’s role as Airbus pursues upgrades]()
UK A400M Saudi deployment highlights airlifter’s role as Airbus pursues upgrades
Airbus is developing new capabilities for its A400M transport aircraft as European countries consider future airlift requirements and the UK plans to deploy the aircraft to Saudi Arabia.
-
![The new generation of defence companies emerging from the US UAV boom]()
The new generation of defence companies emerging from the US UAV boom
As the Pentagon accelerates procurement of low-cost, lethal UAVs through its Drone Dominance Program, emerging suppliers will need to demonstrate manufacturing capacity, supply chain resilience and reliability.
-
![AUSA 2026: New multiwarhead loitering munition enters increasingly competitive market]()
AUSA 2026: New multiwarhead loitering munition enters increasingly competitive market
Heaviside Industries has unveiled its new Tyr loitering munition at AUSA 2026 in Washington, DC, joining a growing field of manufacturers seeking to capitalise on billions of dollars in anticipated military spending.
