Lanka in talks with Russia to purchase new batch of Mi-17 helicopters for UN peacekeeping missions

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Sri Lanka is negotiating with Russia to purchase a new batch of Russian Mi-17 helicopters, which would be used in UN peacekeeping missions, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Dayan Jayatilleka said on Sunday (Feb 10).

The ambassador who was quoted as speaking to Sputnik said negotiations are underway, although no specific documents have been signed yet, and the number of helicopters that Sri Lanka is going to purchase has not been defined.

The Mi-17 medium twin-turbine helicopter is manufactured in a variety of forms, including cargo, passenger, search and rescue, flying hospital and firefighting models. Over 100 countries worldwide have purchased Mi-17 helicopters.

The ambassador recalled that Mi-17s were on the agenda of a Sri Lankan senior defence officials' visit to Moscow in early September 2018.

Sri Lanka has been purchasing Mi-17 helicopters since the early 1990s.

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