Vietnam interested in Russian transport helicopters

A Vietnamese military delegation recently visited a helicopter factory in Kazan, Tatarstan Republic (Russia) and expressed interest in transport helicopters such as ANSAT, Mi-17V-5, Mi-38.

According to a press release from the Russian Helicopters Corporation (part of the Rostec defense corporation) on April 17, a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense visited the helicopter factory in Kazan and discussed with the Russian side about providing transport helicopters to Vietnam.

The Vietnamese delegation witnessed and participated in the test flight of two types of civil transport helicopters, ANSAT and military Mi-17V5, and visited the helicopter production and assembly area.

Deputy Director of Russian Helicopters, Mr. Alexander Shcherbinin said that Vietnam is one of Russia's traditional partners and has a lot of experience in using different types of aircraft. Over the past half century, the former Soviet Union and Russia have provided Vietnam with more than 50 types of helicopters, including Mi-4, Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi17-1V, Mi-171E, Mi-172. Russian helicopters are used by Vietnam in the defense sector and oil and gas service activities.

He also added that the Vietnamese delegation paid special attention to the Mi-38 multi-purpose transport helicopter.

ANSAT Civil Helicopters

According to the website of the Russian Helicopter Corporation, the ANSAT light transport helicopter has a maximum speed of 275 km/h, a range of 500 km, a ceiling of 5,000 m, can carry passengers (8 people) and cargo (1.2 tons), or be modified to serve search and rescue, ambulance, and national security.

The Mi-17V5 military transport helicopter belongs to the Mi-8/17 series, can carry up to 4 tons of cargo, carry a variety of weapons including rockets and machine guns, 23 mm cannons, and fly in all weather conditions. This helicopter has a maximum speed of 250 km/h, a maximum altitude of 6,000 m, a range of 580 km or 1,065 km if carrying 2 auxiliary fuel tanks. The Mi-17V5 can carry 36 fully armed soldiers.

Iraqi Army Mi-17V5

The Mi-38 is a helicopter with 6 rotors on the main engine, a multi-purpose type, currently known by Russia as a flying hospital when used for rescue work. The Mi-38 has a maximum speed of 285 km/h, a range of 420 km (cargo carrying 5 tons) - 660 km (cargo carrying 3 tons), or a maximum of 1,200 km (2.7 tons of cargo) with 2 auxiliary fuel tanks. The ceiling is 6,000 m. The crew consists of 1-3 people, and a maximum of 30 passengers.

According to TNO