Russian Helicopters claims Ukrainian enterprises illegitimately overhaul Afghan Mi-17 helicopters.

Russian Helicopters Holding said it considers it necessary to warn that Ukrainian aircraft repair enterprises are carrying out illegitimate overhaul of Afghan Air Force Mil Mi-17V-5 helicopters and thereby endanger the lives of the American and Afghan soldiers operating the rotorcraft.

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An Afghan Air Force Mi-17 helicopter flown by Lt. Col. Bakhtullah, 377th Afghan Air Force Squadron commander, takes off for an air-assault training flight from Kabul International Airport (Picture source: Wikimedia)

 “According to the received information about the arrival of two Mi-17V-5 helicopters of the Afghan Air Force at the Ukrainian aircraft repair enterprises ‘Motor Sich’ (Zaporozhye) and ‘Aviakon’ (Konotop) for an illegitimate overhaul, Russian Helicopters Holding disclaims all responsibility for further safe operation of the mentioned helicopters and has every reason to deny services related to their maintenance,” it said.

“The overhaul of the helicopters will be carried out at the enterprises that have not mastered the overhaul of this type of helicopter in the prescribed manner, as no actualized repair and design documentation for the Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopter, spare parts or repair sets were delivered to these aircraft repair companies. This overhaul must be considered as illegitimate since it will be performed without the participation and control of the developer (National helicopter center Mil & Kamov) and the manufacturer (‘Kazan Helicopters’ JSC) of this type of helicopters. Russian Helicopters Holding will notify all interested Russian and foreign organizations and authorities about the inclusion of Ukrainian companies in the list of aircraft repair enterprises carrying out illegal overhaul of Russian-made helicopters,” it said.

The contract for the delivery of Mi-17V-5 helicopters to the Afghan army was signed by Rosoboronexport and the US ground forces in 2011. In early 2020, Afghanistan had 45 Mi-17s but only 23 were operational. As for late December 2019, 11 helicopters needed a major overhaul.

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