France Could Purchase Mil Mi-26 Heavy Russian HelicoptersPosted on: Saturday, 3 May 2008, 21:00 CDT
MOSCOW. May 3 (Interfax-AVN) - France could make up its mind in a few months on the purchase of Russian Mil Mi-26 transport helicopters for its armed forces, Alexei Samusenko, the general designer of the Mil Helicopter Plant (MVZ), told Interfax-AVN.
The prospective purchase "is being negotiated by the French Defense Ministry and government," he said. If the purchase is approved, Russian helicopters will be upgraded and filled with French avionics equipment to comply with the customer's requirements, Samusenko said.
Mi-26's were demonstrated to the French side at Istre military base in November 2007. "The final stage of the demonstration was attended by French generals, who participated in demonstration flights," he said.
The transport version of the Mi-26, demonstrated to the French side, is capable of carrying military hardware and personnel. The French military was also shown a medical version intended to evacuate wounded and the sick.
(c) 2008 Daily News Bulletin; Moscow - English. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow - English
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