Kazakh Border Service receives Russian Helicopters’ Mi-171Sh helicopters

The Kazakhstan Border Service has taken delivery of Mi-171Sh helicopters from Russian Helicopters, which will be used to boost security at country’s state border.

Delivered under a contract awarded in 2012, the received helicopters are equipped with piloting and navigational systems and radio communications equipment to support operations in an extensive range of conditions.

Capable of being integrated with cannons and small arms, unguided missiles, and on-board defence systems, the military transport Mi-171Sh craft is also equipped with troop-landing equipment, facilitating four troops to be landed simultaneously.

Suitable for search-and-rescue operations, the helicopter can carry about 36 airborne troops or 12 on stretchers, or up to 4t of cargo within inside the cabin or on an external sling.

The Mi-171Sh helicopters can also be used for routine patrols including at night-time, and to land special forces troops to arrest illegal border-crossers, and to transport troops back to base.

Russian Helicopters has also received a contract from the Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry for a Mi-171E helicopter, with scheduled delivery next year.

A modified version of the Mi-8/17 series helicopters, the Mi-171Es are well suited for search and rescue operations, with deployments in the wake of flooding, earthquakes and other disasters; to combat forest fires as well as offering in-field medical assistance.

Kazakhstan has been operating new Mi-8/17 class helicopters for many years, with the commercial Mi-171Es operating with the Emergencies Ministry’s Kazaviaspas, while several operators in the country use other Mi-8/17 helicopter variants including the Mi-8MT, Mi-8MTV and Mi-17V-5.

Image: Russian Helicopters’ Mi-171Sh helicopter. Photo: Courtesy of Russian ?elicopters, JSC.