KUALA LUMPUR: According to an unconfirmed new report, the Thais are buying Mi-17s! Perhaps they are also feeling the pinch of the economic crisis…

Thailand buys Russian Mi-17 – A U-turn in the defence policy.

The Thai government has decided to buy several transport helicopters from Russia. This deal would mark a U-turn in the defence acquisition policy of Thailand, which till now has only bought arms and military equipment from the United States. According to the Russian daily a contract for three Mi-17 (Hip) Multi-Mission transport helicopters – build by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC – has already be signed worth some $27.5 million.
23 October 2008

— Malaysian Defence