India to Equip Russian-Origin Helicopters With Indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite

India’s Bharat Electronics Limited has been contracted to provide electronic warfare suites and aircraft modification kits for the Indian Air Force’s Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 helicopter fleet.

The 2.4-billion Indian rupee (approximately $275 million) contract comprises indigenously designed and developed systems by Combat Aircraft Systems Development & Integration Centre and the Defence Research & Development Organisation.

The electronic warfare suite comprises a radar warning receiver, a missile approach warning system, and a countermeasure dispensing system.

An aircraft equipped with the system will have significantly enhanced operational survivability.

A majority of the subsystems and parts for the contract will be sourced locally, boosting the local defense ecosystem.

Mi-17 V5

Around 150 V5s are operational with the air force, which were procured in batches from Russia between 2008 and 2013.

The utility platform was primarily acquired for operations in the mountains and features a maximum speed of 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour and a cruising speed of 230 kilometers (143 miles) per hour.

It has a service ceiling of 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) and a flight range of 675 kilometers (419 miles).