Government of Punjab Invites Bids to Buy New Helicopter

[Abbas Ali]

In today's (October 23) newspaper:

Tender Notice

Procurement of New Helicopter for Government of Punjab

Sealed bids are invited only from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) for supply of new helicopter in convertible configuration to Government of Punjab, Pakistan.



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

On August 4, 2016, Government of Punjab Mil Mi-17-1V registration AP-BGX made crash landing in Logar Province of Afghanistan. Exact fate of that helicopter is unknown; maybe damaged beyond repairs, captured or destroyed? It was being ferried from Pakistan to Russia via Afghanistan & Uzbekistan to undergo maintenance checks in Russia.

AP-BGX was used to perform VIP flights for the provincial government and relief, humanitarian, rescue etc. operation flights in Punjab and other provinces of Pakistan also when required.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to a newspaper report, a Russian helicopter has been selected. A team representing Government of Punjab will visit Russia this month to finalise the deal.

Maybe Mi-17 selected?

Abbas

[TAILWIND]

Team is already in Russia to finalise selection of a new MI-17 helicopter.

[Abbas Ali]

^ Thank you for the info.

Abbas

[pk363]

I read in Duniya e-paper today that a billion rupees have already been released by the (so called) Punjab Govt. for this bird. After all the dramebaaz chota shareefa has to visit places with his vibrating finger.

[Abbas Ali]

According to City42 News channel, today a Russian freighter landed at Lahore Airport with new helicopter for the Government of Punjab.

The news channel showed an Mi-17 with registration AP-BGX (sticker?) towed at the airport. The Government of Punjab Mi-17 lost in Afghanistan was also registered as AP-BGX.


The new Mi-17 helicopter of the Government of Punjab with registration AP-BGX towed after its arrival at Lahore Airport in a Russian freighter.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

The exact type of Government of Punjab's new helicopter is Mi-171E. It is in deep blue colour scheme with white stripe and registration AP-BGX.

Aircraft engineers belonging to Pakistan Army/Air Force with foreign engineering team will complete helicopter's assembly at Lahore Airport.

Various components of the new helicopter also have arrived in wooden crates.



Abbas

[TAILWIND]

Can we have same registration on two airframes, even though one has been written off?

[Abbas Ali]

Registration issued to undelivered/crashed/retired aircraft issued later to another aircraft is rare in Pakistan aircraft register.

I know following registrations:

AP-AKS

AP-AKS issued to Government of Sindh de Havilland DH-104 Dove 1B.

http://www.aparm.net/ap-aaa_ap-azz/ap-a ... -aks-1.htm

AP-AKS issued to Government of Pakistan de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver.

http://www.aparm.net/ap-aaa_ap-azz/ap-a ... -aks-2.htm

AP-AMK

AP-AMK issued to PIA Sikorsky S-61N that was later delivered to the airline as AP-AOA. There are its photos sporting registration AP-AMK and later AP-AOA.

http://www.aparm.net/ap-aaa_ap-azz/ap-a ... -amk-1.htm

AP-AMK issued to a former PAF Bristol Type 170 Freighter Mark 31M most likely for ferry flight or sale as civilian registered aircraft to Australia.

http://www.aparm.net/ap-aaa_ap-azz/ap-a ... -amk-2.htm

AP-BFG

AP-BFG issued to Airbus A300 not taken up by Shaheen Air. There are photos of the A300 sporting registration AP-BFG in Shaheen Air livery.

http://www.aparm.net/ap-baa_ap-bzz/ap-b ... -bfg-1.htm

AP-BFG issued to Edhi Foundation Cessna 402B Utiliner/Businessliner.

http://www.aparm.net/ap-baa_ap-bzz/ap-b ... -bfg-2.htm

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Some information about the delivered helicopter.

Pakistan's Punjab province orders Mi-171E helicopter

04 APRIL, 2017

SOURCE: FLIGHTGLOBAL.COM

BY: GREG WALDRON - SINGAPORE

Russian Helicopters has signed a deal to provide Pakistan's Punjab province with a single Mi-171E helicopter.

The helicopter will be delivered in the second quarter of 2017, says Russian state firm Rostec in a statement.

The helicopter will be delivered with a configurable cabin that will allow for several roles including VIP transport, passenger transport, and cargo transport.

"It is expected that the Punjab province leadership will use the multipurpose Mi-171E for passenger and freight transportation, air ambulance tasks, patrolling and remedial actions in emergency situations," says Rostec.

"The scope of possible applications of the helicopter is further expanded through the installation of a set of search-and-rescue equipment – LPG-150 winch and TSL-1600 searchlight. Increased flight safety is ensured due to the installation of enhanced ground proximity warning module."

The contract follows a similar deal for one Mi-171 signed with Pakistan's Balochistan province in January.

Source: flightglobal.com

[Abbas Ali]

The helicopter was transported to Lahore Airport by a Volga-Dnepr Airlines Ilyushin Il-76 freighter.



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

The new helicopter was seen flying over Lahore today.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Government of Punjab spokesperson in a news conference said:

* Twenty million rupees as insurance payment received for the Government of Punjab Mi-17 helicopter lost in Afghanistan in August 2016.

* 1.5 billion rupees spent to buy new Mi-171E helicopter.

* Bid received for a European-built helicopter with purchase cost of 3 billion rupees was rejected due to its high price.

* The helicopter belongs to the Government of Punjab and will be used for multiple purposes including VIP flights, relief flights, as an air ambulance etc.

* It's not purchased for personal use/transportation of the Chief Minister.

* The helicopter has simple interior.

* The helicopter will prove its usefulness in relief operations.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Government of Punjab Mi-171E helicopter seen flying over Ahmadpur Sharqia fuel tanker fire incident site today.

Abbas