Last Friday, the Nepalese Government approved the purchase of two Mil Mi-17 helicopters for their Army – with funds being released in 2014.  The meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Office of the Prime Minister at Singha Durbar approved the amount of 3 billion Nepalese rupees – rather a round number, and we wonder what it includes – which equates to US34.7M at today’s rates.  This is the largest single military contract appointed by the kingdom since 2006.  Both will be equipped as “gunships”

The Nepalese Army currently has four Mi-17s, but we understand that only one is airworthy while the other three await maintenance funding approval.

Other decisions from the same meeting included the Tanahun Hydropower Project, the appointment of a new Consulate General to Hong Kong, appointments to a cement company and a grant to the Nepal Film Development Board.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com