Image source: topwar.ru
A military transport helicopter Mi-171SH of the Niger Air Force crashed on January 8 in the city of Kanchari, located in eastern Burkina Faso. The helicopter was transporting military personnel and equipment to support the counter-terrorism operation in the region.
As indicated in the publication Military Africa, judging by the photos posted on social networks, it seems that the Mi-17 came into contact with its own main rotor, after which the car hit the ground, losing the blade and seriously damaging the airframe. The number of victims and the extent of injuries have not yet been confirmed by the authorities.
This is the second Mi-17-related incident in Niger in less than a year. In January 2023, another helicopter of the same type crashed at an army base near the capital Niamey, killing three crew members. The cause of the crash was called a technical malfunction.
Image source: topwar.ru
In 2020, the Ministry of Defense of Niger received at least three Mi-171Sh vehicles from Russia as part of a deal worth $47 million.
- the publication believes.
At the moment, the Niger Air Force has only one serviceable Mi-17, as well as three French Gazelles (two of them with weapons) and two Italian AB 412.
Image source: topwar.ru
- the conclusion is made in the foreign press.
As can be assumed, the presented material is intended to denigrate the Soviet/Russian rotorcraft, which has been operating effectively on the African continent for many decades. At the same time, "more advanced helicopters" apparently means machines of Western origin.
