“We have sought $700,000 per helicopter for overhauling process,” a high-level NA official told myrepublica.com. “Once the budget is sanctioned we will open bidding and complete repair and maintenance work within three months.”
The helicopters have been grounded for over two years now. One of the MI-17 choppers ran aground after it met with an accident in Namche two years ago and the other has been lying idle after completing 1,500 flying hours.
The source added that the MI-17, which crashed in Namche, has to be sent to Russia for overhaul whereas the other would be repaired in Kathmandu itself by the Kazan Company, which manufactures and sells the much-coveted MI-17.
Of the four MI-17 helicopters currently in possession of NA, two choppers were gifted by the British government during insurgency. Of the two functioning ones, one chopper is being used only in emergencies as it is about to complete the 1,500 TBO (Time Between Overhaul) hours.
The two choppers were second hand and were purchased at a minimum cost of $0.4 million-0.6 million, the source added.
The cost of the MI-17 has gone up to $7 million due to rising demand for this particular Russian military chopper.
The 23-25 seater MI-17 is a much sought after military aircraft with a load capacity of 4,000 kg. Each helicopter is equipped with a set of spare parts and consumables for technical maintenance for two years or 200 hours of operation, which is what makes the MI-17 highly sought after. It can also be very heavily armed with an extensive array or rockets, missiles and guns.
“The MI-17 is highly suitable for Nepal"s terrain. It is robust and has high load capacity. That is why it is a very good military chopper,” another NA source told myrepublica.com. He added that the addition of two MI-17s will expatiate NA"s work pertaining to rescue missions and cargo delivery and will make the remote corners of the country easily accessible for delivery of goods.
However, the source added that the maintenance cost of the MI-17 is very high. “The only drawback is that its (MI-17) parts are very expensive and it has short flying hours,” he said.
After the government announced its recent Special Security Plan Phase II, the Nepal Police is also said to be vying for purchase of two helicopters, including a MI-17.
akanshya@myrepublica.com
Related story
NAC’s Twin Otter grounded for carrying 150 kg more baggage than...
-1200x560-1771928761.webp)
