The Iraqi air force has received eight
of ten Mi-17 helicopters from Russia. This was the first aircraft
acquired by the air force on their own, without Coalition involvement.
It's a reliable choice. Iraq has used Russian helicopters for decades,
and the Mi-17 was recently acquired by Afghanistan and Colombia as
well. The Mi-17 is the export version of the Mi-8, a twin-engine
helicopter, roughly equivalent to the U.S. UH-1. But the Mi-8/17 is
still in production and is the most widely exported (2,800 out of
12,000 made) helicopter on the planet.Â
The
Mi-8 is about twice the size and weight of the UH-1, but only hauls
about 50 percent more cargo. However, the Mi-8 had a larger interior,
and can carry 24 troops, versus a dozen in the UH-1. The UH-1 was
replaced by the UH-60 in the 1980s, while the Mi-8 just kept adding
better engines and electronics to the basic Mi-8 frame. But the UH-60,
while weighing as much as the UH-1 (4.8 tons), could carry as much as
the 12 ton Mi-8. But the Mi-8 costs about half as much as a UH-60, and
the larger interior is popular with many users. Russia also offers
lower rates for training pilots and mechanics. Russia is keen on
establishing good relations with Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which
have been good customers in the past. While the Afghans are somewhat
ticked off at the Russians because of the 1980s war, the Iraqis have
fond memories of the Russians, and their military equipment. It was
Russia that supplied most of the weapons for Iraq during the 1980s war
with Iran.
The Iraqis actually
obtained their Mi-17s from Poland, who is also supplying maintenance
services. By next year, the Iraqis hope to have 24 Mi-17s in service.
The Iraqi air force also has 16 refurbished UH-1 Hueys, and five
similar Bell 206 Jet Rangers.