Image source: topwar.ru
Chinese troops have been actively acquiring Russian helicopters for decades. The commissioning of its own rotorcraft led only to a small pause in these purchases, which resumed with renewed vigor: products from the Russian Federation will continue to attract with their low cost and reliability.
Currently, about 340 Mi-17/171 are serving in the PLA fleet. In particular, helicopters are equipped with a special operations brigade of the 74th Army of the Southern Theater, whose exercises recently got into the frame. During the maneuvers, Chinese fighters practiced parachute-free landing from PLA Mi-171 helicopters using launching devices from the hover position.
At the same time, Chinese observers drew attention to the equipment of vehicles with on-board defense systems. Warning devices are installed on the equipment: radar tracking – in the front of the equipment and on the tail; on the side – stations signaling the approach of the missile and laser irradiation.
Image source: topwar.ru
- observers from the People's Republic of China are noted, who also examined inflatable floats for landing on water.
Some of the Mi-17s arrive in the PLA with the Russian BKO, but Chinese self-defense equipment is placed on the captured helicopters. In general, when recruiting special operations forces and search and rescue teams, the command prefers to use Russian helicopters equipped with equipment from the Russian Federation:
- indicated in the publication of The War Zone.
