Hip's for the RAF?
Evening all,
I was just having a nosey through one of the aviation mags from last month when I came across an article on the Mil Mi-17 Hip. The Afghan Army, through the US has just taken delivery of half a dozen new build aircraft in record time, something like 35 days after contract signing. Contract signing to arrival in country in 35 days, thats quite a pace.
Now I'm not going to get into all the arguments surrounding the lack of support helicopters, the Chinooks that lay in a hangar at Boscombe or the age of out vintage SH fleet.
The question is, whats stopping the RAF/MOD procuring a squadron of new build or refurbished Mi-17's for use in Afghanistan? The type has a proven record for operating in hot an high conditions, just ask the Pakistan Army or Peruvian Air Force.
I know we currently have two operating from Boscombe but I believe that these are being used to train foreign aircrew. A squadron of these would certainly ease the burden on the Puma/Chinook/Merlin guys.
Floors open...