Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Rostec State Corporation, has delivered a second commercial multirole Mi-171 helicopter built by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant to Airfast Indonesia.

The delivery continues a relationship established last year, when Airfast Indonesia – one of the country’s biggest providers of aviation services to the oil, mining and construction industries – took delivery of its first commercial Mi-171. The Indonesian company chose the Mi-171 for its versatility, high level of reliability and ease of use, and for the helicopter’s ability to operate in various climatic conditions. Mi-8/17 series helicopters can fly a wide range of missions, from cargo and passenger transport to geological prospecting and routine patrols, fire-fighting and offshore transfers. The Mi-171’s successful operational history was a key factor in the Indonesian company’s decision to add these helicopters to its fleet. In 2012 and 2013 the parties signed contracts for the delivery of two more Mi-171s.

Commercial operators of the Mi-171 in Indonesia make use of an external sling, and use the helicopter to carry passengers including to inaccessible regions. The Mi-171s built for Airfast Indonesia are fitted with the latest piloting and navigational equipment and additional radio equipment to make the helicopter safer and improve its operational abilities.

More than 5,000 Mi-8/17 series helicopters are currently operated around the planet, including more than 700 Mi-171s in Russia, South-East Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The possibilities offered by the helicopter expand on a daily basis, and it can tackle increasingly varied and complex tasks thanks to continuous upgrading of the Mi-8/17 series by Russian Helicopters.

Russian-built helicopters are also used by the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU). The country operates military transport Mi-17V-5 helicopters built by Kazan Helicopters, a Russian Helicopters company, and multirole Mi-35P combat helicopters built at Rostvertol, the company’s production facility at Rostov-on-Don. Russian-built helicopters are reliable, safe and efficient, and can be operated in mountainous terrain as well as adverse weather conditions with a high level of humidity.