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SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

In a significant step towards enhancing its maintenance capabilities and boosting the domestic aerospace sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to outsource the repair and overhaul (ROH) of its Mi-17 V5 helicopter engines to private Indian firms. This move is expected to not only help the IAF keep pace with the maintenance requirements of its growing fleet but also foster the growth of the aerospace and defense industry in India.

The IAF has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the overhaul of 50 Mi-17 V5 helicopter engines. The project is open exclusively to Indian firms, which signals a significant push towards self-reliance under India’s “Make in India” initiative. According to sources, the engines will be overhauled within India, and they will not be sent abroad for maintenance, marking an important shift towards boosting domestic capabilities.

The project is being closely overseen by the IAF’s No.3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) in Chandigarh, which is responsible for the maintenance of Russian-origin helicopters in the IAF’s fleet, including the Mi-17 and Mi-25/35 models. The depot has been a key player in maintaining the Mi-17 fleet, but its capacity has limitations in handling the large volume of maintenance required for the IAF’s extensive helicopter inventory.

No.3 BRD, while experienced in handling the maintenance and overhauling of Mi-series helicopters, including the Mi-17 and Mi-25/35, has faced challenges in meeting the IAF’s growing demands for maintenance. This is primarily due to the depot’s limited capacity relative to the size of the fleet. Additionally, the depot was responsible for assembling and flight testing the Mi-17 V5 when these helicopters were procured from Russia. Given the increasing number of Mi-17 V5 helicopters in service, outsourcing the overhaul of the engines will allow the IAF to streamline maintenance operations and ensure the fleet remains in optimal operational condition.

By involving private Indian companies in the overhaul process, the IAF aims to create a more robust maintenance infrastructure that can support its large fleet of Mi-17 V5 helicopters, ensuring quicker turnaround times and reducing dependency on foreign service providers. This move will not only enhance the operational readiness of the fleet but also bring a significant boost to the Indian aerospace industry, providing new business opportunities for private defense companies.

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