LIMA, Peru - Peru has ordered another eight Russian-built Mil Mi-171Sh transport helicopters. The order will be in addition to the 24 helicopters purchased last year.
After completing a comparative study between the Russian Mil-171Sh Hip and the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma and Eurocopter AS532 Cougar in late 2012, the Peruvian Ministry of Defense selected the Russian option. A total of 24 Mi-171Sh helicopters were ordered in December 2013 for $528 million. Under the terms of the agreement, the first helicopter is slated for delivery later this year. Deliveries should be completed by the end of 2015.
On June 17, 2014, the Army's Aviation Maintenance Center issued an urgent requirement for the procurement of additional Mi-171 helicopters to support counterinsurgency operations against Shining Path guerrillas in the Apurimac and Ene River Valley Region (VRAEM).
The Air Force has been impressed with the cargo load capacity, strength, noise level, and agility of the Mi-17/Mi/8s already in use.