IAF begins Mi-8 phase-out

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040122/cth1.htm#9

Mi-8 copters to be phased out

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 21

Over three decades after it first flew in Indian skies, the workhorse of the IAF’s helicopter fleet is on the way out. Beginning this year, the Air Force will be de-commissioning old Mi-8 choppers which are too old to meet statutory flying requirements.

“The technical life of Mi-8s belonging to the first batch procured by the IAF is expiring,” a senior officer at No.3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) here, confirmed. The depot is responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of Mi-series helicopters in the IAF’s inventory. In fact, the Mi-8 given by the IAF to Punjab Engineering College here is among the first lot to be retired from service due to its age.

Sources said that over the next four years, older Mi-8s would be de-commissioned, though similar choppers procured during later stages were expected to remain in service up to another 15 years or so. The Mi-8s, which have already undergone several life extension programmes, will be replaced by the more powerful Mi-17 and the indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopter, Dhruv.

The original lifespan of the Mi-8 was stated to be 20 years by the manufacturer, but life extension programmes by the IAF enhanced it to 30 years. While some Mi-8s have completed the stipulated life, others are as young as 16 years. yep, sweet 16 is young in the IAF dictionary :rolleyes:

Though the IAF had been de-commisioning Mi-8 choppers after they had been damaged beyond economical repairs due to accidents, It is only now that the de-commissioning process on account of old age has begun. The last type of helicopter phased out of the IAF service was the Mi-4, a total of 120 of which had served the Air Force for about 20 years after being inducted in 1962.

Inducted into the IAF over a period from 1971 to 1985, the 100-odd Mi-8s in the IAF presently equip eight helicopter units. These medium lift roto-crafts are used for transport, communication, para-dropping, casualty evacuation and special heli-borne operations. Specially modified Mi-8s also equip a special detachment attached to Air Headquarters for VVIP duties.

After the first batch of Mi-8 procured from the erstwhile Soviet Union neared the end of their stipulated life span, life extension studies conducted by 3 BRD recommended that they could remain in service beyond 30 years. “We are now finding that some of these aircraft cannot operate safely beyond 32-33 years,” an officer said. :rolleyes:

Some of the Mi-8 units are being progressively re-equipped with the advanced version of the Mi-17 IV. The IAF had ordered 40 such helicopters and a few have been delivered. The IAF is also in the process of inducting the Dhuv. The first two Dhruvs ordered by the IAF entered service in March, 2002. While the number of Mi-17s being procured is less than half the number of Mi-8s to be de-commissioned, the load and passenger carrying capability of Dhruv is half that of the Mi-8.

The IAF presently has about 80 Mi-17s, equipping six helicopter units.