Thailand is in talks with Russia to buy a second batch of Mil Mi-17V5 helicopters (NATO reporting name “Hip”), in addition to the six aircraft it already has, a source in the Russian defense industry said Thursday.
“We hope that Thailand plans to procure another batch of Mi-17V5s, talks on the matter are underway. Hopefully, we will come to an agreement in 2016,” the source told RIA Novosti.
The helicopter is one of the most advanced modifications of the Mi-17 family. It is produced by JSC Kazan Helicopters and sold through Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport.
Indonesia bought its first Mi-17V5s under a 2008 contract. This was the first time that the Thai military chose a Russian aircraft over a US-made one.