Russian Helicopters Holding (part of Rostec State Corporation) fulfilled the first service contract in the interests of the Lao Ministry of Defense, having transferred a batch of four helicopters Mi-17 at the official ceremony. The helicopters were repaired by a mobile group of specialists which is part of the Holding 356 Aircraft Repair Plant JSC.
The transfer ceremony took place at the air base in Vientiane. Lao Minister of Defence Colonel General Chansamone Chanyalath and Chief of Defense Suvon Luongbunmi inspected the repaired Mi-17s. During the official event, a crew of the Laos Air Forces performed a demonstration flight in a repaired helicopter.
“The Holding is always ready to offer the most comfortable conditions for its customers in terms of both supplying helicopters and rendering post-sale services. Upon the request of the Laotian part, we prepared another repair offer for the next batch of Mi-17 helicopters. We hope the decision will be made in the near future,” noted Andrey Boginsky, CEO, Russian Helicopters.
In the end of the event, the parties negotiated supplies of new helicopters, and future repair and maintenance cooperation for the earlier supplied air vehicles.
The Lao aviation fleet comprises over 20 civil and military helicopters produced by the Holding’s enterprises. Apart from Mi-8/17, the country uses mid-size utility helicopters Ka-32T.
