"This is the basis of the country's transport aviation": the Czech Republic commented on the words about the "unsuitability" of Mi helicopters

In European countries that were previously part of the Warsaw Pact Organization (OVD), the opinion prevails among observers that Soviet military equipment does not correspond to modern combat realities.

At the same time, the fact is ignored that in armies built on NATO standards, the systems created during the Cold War act as the basis of the material part of the troops. For example, in the same United States, the M113 armored personnel carrier, developed in the late 1950s, continues to be the most massive product in the armored order: according to the IISS, at the beginning of 2021 there were 5 thousand units of this equipment.

Such a one-sided view of the Eastern European "experts" plays into the hands of the lobbyists of the military-industrial complex of the Western countries. The authorities of the states of the former OVD, supported by the "chorus" of such observers, are "pushing" programs of abandoning Soviet technology and switching to products from developed NATO countries.

In these conditions, our own defense industry becomes almost the only outpost of sanity. So, the Czech Ministry of Defense purchased 12 American helicopters (8 multipurpose UH-1Y Venom and 4 attack AH-1Z Viper). They are designed to take the place of the Soviet and Russian Mi-8/17 and Mi-35. However, it is difficult to call cars from the USA from a lower weight category an adequate replacement. Moreover, the local industry, represented by the LOM PRAHA aircraft plant, in comparison with other countries from Eastern Europe, has the richest experience in modernizing Mi-8/17 helicopters, including by equipping them with Western equipment.

When I say that the Mi helicopters are outdated, unusable and beyond repair, you probably won't agree with me, will you?

- asks a journalist from the Czech publication CZDefence a question to the general director of this state-owned enterprise.

Of course not, because you can see for yourself that we maintain and repair these helicopters, and I must say that they form the basis of the transport aviation army of the Czech Republic and will certainly serve for some time

- the head of the aircraft plant Jiri Protiva commented on the words about the "unsuitability" of the Mi helicopters.

The local defense industry is in no hurry to say goodbye to the equipment of the "eastern neighbor" and even in modern conditions finds opportunities for its renewal. So, LOM PRAHA in December 2020 signed an agreement with the Czech Ministry of Defense on the modernization of 15 units. Mi-171SH: on various machines it is planned to increase the resistance to interference, update avionics, facilitate protection, and install a medical kit.

Comments

[rocket757]

"This is the basis of the country's transport aviation": the Czech defense industry commented on the words about the "unsuitability" of Mi helicopters

change, this is the most important thing now, for the most overexcited.

[Finches]

The Czechs do not and cannot have their own opinion, and the broadcast of American interests is so obvious that it even becomes ridiculous when some proud Czech starts squealing something about national identity! And the whole essence of the "independent" Czech Republic - "the United States is" good "- by the way, beer from stupid advertising, like all Czech products, after well-known events, was included by me in my own sanctions list, but, unfortunately, I have a bath from the Czech Republic and a bicycle - though acquired a long time ago, but now their presence causes me a feeling of regret and concern!

[URAL72]

the broadcast of American interests is so obvious "

And this causes not only regret, but also surprise. The Czech Republic has always been in the German orbit. Even now it is very profitable for them, remember at least the purchase of a Skoda by Volkswagen. Of course, in order to save money, they should replace the Mi-8 and Mi-24 with lighter and more economical equipment, but better with European ones. Yes, it is more difficult and more expensive to maintain (Soviet), but given the proximity of factories and operators, this is justified. Something is wrong with the purchase of American turntables. Well, they simply won't be allowed to buy our equipment.

[Finches]

This is the genius of the Marshall plan - a weaker European country is in the sphere of interests of the always potentially stronger Germany, which conquered the whole of Europe, but which itself, in turn, is in full occupation of the United States ... Therefore, the principle of a vassal, my vassal is not your vassal here has lost its meaning!

[tralflot1832]

Contact Tikhanovskaya, she will repair it later someday, In the zone with all her shobla under the leadership of a US citizen Fisher!

[Oleg Aviator]

Mi8 is an excellent helicopter. At least as good as blackhawk.

[URAL72]

Minus is not mine, but let me disagree with you. The N-60 is rather an analogue of the Ka-60/62, and the Mi-8/17 turns into an even heavier Mi-38. It is a pity that the Ka-60/62 program is going so hard, we also need a lighter machine, incl. on ships.

[dauria]

we also need a lighter car

To fly on picnics and graze deer - yes, we do. And the rich private traders need it, otherwise they are buying all the "Robinsons" ... And so even the "Apache" is getting close to 11 tons. And he started with 7 .... In the army, "cars" are needed only at the parade - the minister to roll around Red Square. And for the war, ZILok 131st. On the contrary, we would now be replacing the "six" between the Mi-8 and the Mi-26 ... But not in a hurry.

[URAL72]

These are not my personal wishes. They began to develop the Ka-60 while still in the union. For the Mi-4 is outdated. And this class is in great demand abroad. And now the Mi-1 and Ka-26 have been removed from service, but here it is better, there is a replacement, it remains to replace imported components.

[dauria]

And this class is in great demand abroad.

So for sale to civilians, not to the army. And the Mi-4 was good in civilian life both in size and in being a "piston".
As you don’t understand a simple thing, you don’t apply a reduced scale to missiles (bombs, blocks, machine guns), or to armor, or to equipment, or even small pilots. And without this you can’t. So it turns out for a normal helicopter 11-13 tons. And we called the Mi-2 just "fly swatter".

[URAL72]

I really don't understand you. It turns out that if we have a Tu-160, then the Su-34 is not needed and the pilot, the missiles cannot be crammed there? Then why is the Mi-8, there is the Mi-26! That's where you can stuff rockets! As an active intelligence officer, I will tell you - we do not work as a platoon, at most a squad. And this is 7 people without a mechanic drive and an armored personnel carrier operator. Why do I need Mi-8? Why do I need missiles if I need to occupy a gray area before the infantry arrives? Or an island, a lighthouse, a mountain pass? Ka-60 is just right. And you don't need to shove rockets everywhere. When they decided to arm the Iroquois, it turned out to be Cobra. There is an area where you need to transfer a couple of people, and you can't do without a turntable. Shall we call the Mi-26? We need the entire line, from the Ka-26 to the Mi-26. And the missiles will bring Mi-28 and Ka-52.

[Reviews]

Quote: URAL72

7 people without a mechanic drive and an armored personnel carrier operator. Ka-60 is just right.

In principle, there is a Ka-32. 10-15 people. Up to 226 people fit into the Ka-6 (without normal combat gear, though).

[URAL72]

Ka-32 is the same Mi-8 in terms of weight and engines. We won't save money this way. The Ka-226 is also needed, but it is a very light machine for pinpoint work. A messenger or for the evacuation of the wounded.

[Reviews]

Quote: URAL72

Ka-32 is the same Mi-8 in terms of weight and engines. We won't save money this way.

Well, then "Ansat". 7 people, 1 ton of carrying capacity.

[URAL72]

Ansat, although it takes MO, is still with imported engines. The necessary car, like the Ka-226, but in this case 1 ton is not enough, and the dimensions of the cabin are important. I won't go on a mission without steak! Or maybe you need water. Where there is a week, there are two - passed. If with a margin, then only dry ration and water 300 kilograms for seven for 2 weeks.

[Reviews]

Well, the VK-650 is on its way. If derated (which will increase the reliability and service life), then it is quite a replacement for the engines that are now on the Ansat.
And I was wrong about the carrying capacity. They write that "9 passengers or 1650 kg of cargo." So don't be picky.

[dauria]

We need the whole line, from Ka-26 to Mi-26

Why Ka-26? Where is this flea? Babe for a ride or for beer to drive to the neighboring area? Let them sculpt for sale to civilians, it will take a couple of army once every hundred years - they will rent it together with the pilot. And even then not ours, but imported. At least they know how to make fleas better than ours. There is no place in the army for helicopters weighing less than 11 tons.

[URAL72]

Showing on my fingers

[dauria]

Showing on my fingers

What, were they going to transport the woman in labor from the village to the regional center? In the eight, too, you can .. And transported, if necessary. In the army, kerosene is not counted. But to keep this dragonfly in the OVE, to prepare flight crews, techies for it, to produce a ragtag and a mess in supplies - yes, it's ingenious.

[URAL72]

In the army, kerosene is not considered "

DO NOT COUNT. You seem to have served for a long time. In addition, when purchasing equipment, it is not the army that believes, but the state. Fuel is supplied according to the standards. And then spin as you want. The flight crew is easy to train - the control of the Ka-226 is not particularly different from other co-axes, provided that modern avionics are used. Everywhere there are "monitors" and so on, and the engine is also 2. It is more difficult with technicians, but only with dvigatelists. At the same time, the car is civil, so no problem.

I repeat - the procurement process is underway, but the Ministry of Defense decided everything WITHOUT ME. So complain to them. But I support them.

[dauria]

but MO decided everything WITHOUT ME. So you complain to them. But I support them.

The current Ministry of Defense has "decided" a lot of things.
Is the staff easy to cook? Yes, if this "non-chicken" even just stands on the ground, she is already eating up energy and time. Everyone has. From the commander to the soldier from the guard company. You are tortured to fill out some pieces of paper, not to mention the rest. There are norms, it is obliged to keep it in good condition. This means - to carry out all types of work and preparations. Avoid interruptions at the flight crew.
What's the point? If the "eight" today transported the wounded, then the general, then they plowed it to the BSHU, then to the landing, then the soldier who drank the liquid "I" instead of alcohol .... Why keep this little thing? General's traveling carriage?
So there are civilian helicopters for carriages. They will learn to do so that it is better and cheaper than the western ones - you can buy a couple for the Moscow region as well. And to pay firms from the budget of the Ministry of Defense and the development of a helicopter is not the USSR.

[Doliva63]

Isn't the Mi-26 a replacement for the Mi-6?

[Basarev]

The process is irreversible. Fewer and fewer firms are supporting Soviet technology; physical wear and tear and obsolescence are outstripping. One day the last Soviet model will come out of the wickedness of the Western countries. And the Russians will not be allowed there. That is, what is happening in the Czech Republic is completely natural. Globally, things are heading towards a growing gap between the United States in the export of weapons. With the tendency of the final ousting of Russia from this industry. And we have nothing to answer to that. There are two critical weaknesses: motors and electronics. It is in their direction that the evolution of weapons goes to this day. And it is in them that Russia got stuck at the late Soviet level. And given the technological siege of the West, it is not a fact that it will be possible to advance. There is a risk of a repeat of the Crimean War situation.

[Prisoner]

"Such a one-sided view of the Eastern European" experts "" is the result of the action of the golden calf and the control of the "experts" opinion.

[Kaw]

How many helicopters developed in the 50s can be produced. The Mi-8 was supposed to be replaced by the Mi-80 back in the 38s. And this is also taking into account the Russian culture of production, inherited by us from the USSR.

[Reviews]

Quote: Kaw

How many helicopters developed in the 50s can be produced. The Mi-8 was supposed to be replaced by the Mi-80 back in the 38s.

American fools - UH-1 is still being released, right? And 737.
Do you even know that from the original Mi-8 in the current Mi-8 only the name, the number of engines and the building horizontal are left? No, of course you don't. Well, keep quiet so that you pass for a smart one.

[rotmistr60]

Sometimes the desire to quickly get rid of the Russian (Soviet) leads to negative results. But when "European solidarity" and NATO standards are at stake, this is not taken into account. The internal affair of the Czech Republic which helicopters to use, so let them break spears among themselves. Fly them, and we will observe from the side. In addition, the Czech Republic is officially recognized as an unfriendly state.

[Black cowl]

What can not be said to please the Americans. It seems that the mind always bypasses Europe.

[Mother Theresa]

Do you have your own industry? We will help you get rid of it, but for your money. USA.