Chinese Mi-171Es

摘要

Four Mi-171E multi-role helicopters were ordered for the Chinese military in August 2017. The deal was confirmed by Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, Russia's arms export agency and includes four additional VK-2500 engines. All equipment is due for delivery in 2018. China is the second largest export customer (after India) for Russian tactical transport helicopters this decade. As many as 84 Mi-171Es were ordered in two batches, the last of which were handed over in 2014. So far, China's military has preferred buying Mi-171Es via intermediary companies instead of placing direct orders. All 84 helicopters were purchased in the baseline unarmed configuration with analogue cockpits. Following delivery to China, the helicopters receive local upgrades with new mission avionics and locally-made unguided weapons carried on outrigger pylons.