Russian firm delivers Mi-171E helicopter to Pak

Pakistan has received a Russian-made Mi-171E non-combat helicopter, the second such chopper delivered to the country this year, indicating growing ties between Islamabad and Moscow, a media report has said.

The Mi-171 is a civilian variant of the Mi-17 military cargo helicopter, which is already in service in the Pakistan Army. The second helicopter was ordered by Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province.

“I am confident the convertible Mi-171E handed over to the customer will perform decently when accomplishing any missions, whether in passenger and freight carriage or in medical, search and rescue operations,” Chief Executive Officer of Russian Helicopters Andrei Boginsky was quoted as saying by the Russia’s TASS news agency.