India takes delivery of first of 80 Mi-17s

( RIA Novosti )  :  India has taken delivery of the first batch of 80 Mi-17V-5 tactical transport helicopters ordered under a $1.345 billion deal in 2008, Russian arms sales agency Rosoboronexport said on Tuesday.
The helicopters are being built by Russian Helicopters' Kazan Helicopter Factory (KVZ) subsidiary.
The Mi-17V-5 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.
India is one of the world's largest Mi-8 and Mi-17 operators with over 200 aircraft in service. The Mi-8/17 family is the most widely produced helicopter design in history, with over 11,000 delivered to more than 110 countries.

Mi-8 helicopter