Russian Helicopters, part of the Rostec State Corporation, has
completed its first service contract to the Lao Ministry of Defence,
transferring four repaired Mi-17 helicopters at an official handover
ceremony on Wednesday.
The ceremony was held at the Vientiane air base and was presided over
by Lao Deputy Minister of Defence, Phouvong Vongphom, who inspected the
helicopters.
A crew from the Lao Air Force made a demonstration flight in the repaired helicopter during the event.
“We prepared an offer to repair another batch of Mi-17 type
helicopters at the request of the Lao party. I hope the decision will be
made shortly,” said CEO of Russian Helicopters, Andrei Boginsky.
The two sides held talks on supplies of new aircraft and continuation
of cooperation in service and maintenance of earlier deliveries.
The Lao aircraft fleet includes over 20 civil and military
helicopters. Laos operates Ka-32T helicopters in addition to the Mi-8/17
type.
Source -Laotian Times