Russian Helicopters refuses to provide support for AAF overhauled Mi-17V-5 choppers.

Due to the received information on the unauthorized overhaul of one Mi-17V-5 helicopter of the Defense Ministry of Afghanistan by the Slovak Aircraft repair company LOTN, JSC "Russian Helicopters" in the name of the designer (JSC "Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant") and the manufacturer (PJSC "Kazan Helicopters") disclaims all liability for the further safe operation of this rotorcraft and has good reason to refuse to provide service support for this helicopter's operation.

A first Mi-17V-5 helicopter has been overhauled by LOTN
(Credit: Slovakia Ministry of Defense)

Overhaul of the said Mi-17V-5 helicopter was performed at the Slovak repair facility which had not mastered the overhaul of this type of rotorcraft in due order. Moreover, the overhaul was carried out under the repair/overhaul documentation developed by LOTN without the participation and supervision of the designer and manufacturer.  Updated overhaul and design documentation for the military-transport Mi-17V-5 helicopter, spare parts and group kits for overhaul were never supplied to the aircraft repair company in question.

JSC "Russian Helicopters" shall notify all Russian and international agencies and entities concerned on  the enrollment of the Slovak Aircraft repair company LOTN on the list of aircraft repair facilities performing unauthorized overhaul of military-transport rotorcraft of Mi-17V-5 type.

"LOTN completed the general overhaul of the first AAF Mi-17V-5 helicopter. On July 28, the rotary-wing aircraft was sent back to Afghanistan," the Slovakian MoD said in August in a statement

The AAF is an operator of the Mil utility helicopters. According to the Military Balance 2018 analytical book published by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the service had the following Mil utility rotary-wing platforms in its inventory as of early 2018: 44 Mi-17Mi-17V-5 helicopters. The Afghan military`s Special Mission Wing (SMW) operated 28 more Mi-17/Mi-17V-5 helicopters.