Platform profile · India · Medium-lift military transport and assault helicopter · Indian Air Force
Fleet remains in front-line and HADR service (Sultanpur expressway operations, 22 April 2026), but a replacement track is now funded: on 26 August 2026 HAL and Safran signed the SAFHAL contract for the Aravalli engine that will power the 13-tonne IMRH, the designated Mi-17 successor, with development to 2032-33; reports indicate the CCS is likely to take up the IMRH design case at about Rs 13,500 crore against a requirement of roughly 350 helicopters.
On 22 April 2026, Mi-17V-5 helicopters joined day-and-night operations from the Sultanpur emergency landing facility on the Purvanchal Expressway. In 2025 the type airlifted 30 NDRF personnel and 1.7 tonnes of relief load from Bagdogra to Chhaten and also participated in the India-US Tiger Triumph exercise. India inducted its first Mi-17V-5s on 17 February 2012, and delivery of 151 helicopters was reported complete with a final batch of three in February 2016. The fleet's record also includes a 2019 friendly-fire loss at Budgam and the 2021 Coonoor controlled-flight-into-terrain accident, highlighting the importance of air-defence coordination and weather procedures. Its combination of 4,000 kg payload, 36-troop capacity and all-weather equipment makes the Mi-17V-5 a central Indian capability for high-altitude logistics, disaster response and troop movement.
Updated 9 days ago Updated 26 Aug 2026
Verified figures
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum take-off weight | 13,000 kg ↗ |
| Crew | 3 ↗ |
| Maximum speed | 250 km/h ↗ |
| Maximum payload | 4,000 kg ↗ |
| Service ceiling | 6,000 m ↗ |
| Range on internal fuel | 675 km ↗ |
| Assault-troop capacity | Up to 36 troops ↗ |
| Cabin volume | 23 cu m ↗ |
| Indian avionics and night capability | Glass cockpit, weather radar, autopilot and Generation III night-vision-goggle compatibility for all-weather day/night operations ↗ |
| Indian loading and rescue equipment | Modified loading ramp, clamshell doors, starboard door, Bambi bucket and rescue winch ↗ |
Spec sources: roe.ru ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗
Changelog
HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines signed the final contract with their 50:50 joint venture SAFHAL to design, develop, manufacture and support the 3,500-4,000 shp Aravalli turboshaft for the 13-tonne IMRH, the helicopter intended to replace the Mi-17 fleet, with development running to 2032-33 and manufacture planned at Tumakuru.
An IAF Mi-17V-5 from Central Air Command rescued two teenagers stranded on an overhead water tank in Siddharth Nagar after a ladder collapse.
Mi-17V-5 helicopters participated in day-and-night flying from the Sultanpur emergency landing facility on the Purvanchal Expressway during its operational activation.
Mi-17V-5s fought wildfires at Walong and in the Dzukou Valley; the IAF reported 139,800 litres of water dropped at Walong.
Mi-17V-5 helicopters airlifted 30 NDRF personnel and 1.7 tonnes of relief load from Bagdogra to Chhaten.
The Mi-17V-5 completed participation in the India-US tri-service HADR exercise Tiger Triumph at Visakhapatnam alongside C-130Js, Garuds and a Rapid Air Medical Team.
The MoD signed a Rs 2,385 crore contract with BEL for indigenous electronic-warfare suites, modification kits and installation on Mi-17V-5 helicopters.
An Mi-17V-5 firefighting mission over Coimbatore forest fires dispensed 22,450 litres of water.
An IAF Mi-17V-5 crashed near Coonoor; the tri-service inquiry attributed the accident to spatial disorientation after an unexpected weather change and ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage and negligence.
An IAF Mi-17 was shot down by an Indian surface-to-air missile near Budgam, killing six personnel aboard and one civilian; the Air Chief later acknowledged the friendly-fire error.
A final batch of three Mi-17V-5s was transferred to India, completing deliveries of 151 helicopters under the programme.
By 13 May during Nepal earthquake relief, the combined Mi-17 and Mi-17V-5 force had flown 790 sorties, evacuated 2,858 people and 672 casualties, and carried 326.23 tonnes.
1 tagged story
The SAFHAL contract turns a 2023 joint venture into a funded programme for a 3,500–4,000 shp turboshaft, India's first co-developed engine of this class, and clears the way for the ₹13,500 crore IMRH design case to reach the CCS.
