Thai army buys, and eyes, Russian helicopters
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) received two Mil Mi-17V-5 helicopters in late 2015, boosting its inventory to five. Furthermore, it plans to buy more to replace its CH-47D Chinooks. The RTA is also eying up Russian attack helicopters.
The first three Mi-17V-5s entered service in 2011, and the RTA ordered two more, each with a glass cockpit and new avionics, in 2014. The Mi-17V-5s perform various missions including transportation, tactical support and search and rescue, and the RTA is satisfied by their low maintenance cost.
They are also performing missions once the preserve of the CH-47Ds, of which only two
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