(Washington) China purchases up to 121 military helicopters from Russia. The US media pointed out that some of them are very suitable for use in the border between China and India, Taiwan Sea and the South China Sea.
According to VOA, Russian State-owned Military Industry Enterprise Russia Technology Group (Rostec) reported at the end of October that China bought 121 transportation and attack transport helicopters from Russia last year, including 68 Mi-171 and the improved Mi 171E and 18 can be available.The Mi-171SH attack transport helicopter at the ground, 14 Mi-171 equipped with a VK-2500 engine.Russian media expected that the total military purchase amount may exceed 2 billion US dollars (S $ 2.687 billion), which is the largest arms trading of the two countries after the 2015 Su-35 fighter and S-400 air defense missiles.
The US media pointed out that the main selling point of the VK-2500 engine is to allow the helicopter to effectively use in the low temperature environment and the hot climate of the plateau and the high mountains, so the Mi-171 equipped with the engine can be more able to be on the border between China and India, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea School.use.Vietnam equipped with territorial disputes with China has Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters. At the 2018 Vietnam Exhibition Exhibition, Russia also actively promoted this engine to it.
According to the analysis, there are still two reasons for China to purchase a large number of Russian helicopters under the service of direct-20 and straight-8.First, the performance of domestic machines may not be fully satisfied with the military in a specific environment. Second, domestic production may not meet emergency expansion needs. Chinese aircraft carriers and various landing ships must be equipped with a large number of helicopters.
It is reported that Russia is particularly optimistic about the Chinese helicopter market. Mi-171 is currently produced in Ulan Ud, not far from China.Mi-171.
