N Korean military helicopters deployed near maritime border

South Korean media is reporting that North Korea has deployed around 20 helicopters at two bases near South Korea's Baeknyeong Island in the West Sea since May. Baeknyeong Island is South Korea's northernmost island that lies just south of the Northern Limit Line, the (disputed) de facto maritime border with North Korea.

North Korea operates no dedicated attack helicopters, however it's Mi-2, Mi-4 and Mi-8 transport helicopters can be armed with unguided rockets, with a South Korean military source indicating that the helicopters are deployed "independently of any military exercises".

A quick glance at Google Earth would indicate the two closest North Korean airbases are Taetan and Kwail.

VIDEO: North Korean live firing exercise

An interesting, almost 20 minute video of a North Korean live-firing exercise involving army artillery and multiple rocket launchers, naval bombardment and airstrikes. From a military aviation perspective, some things to look out for are KPAF MiG-21s, -23s and -29s, along with Su-25s, Mi-2 and Mi-8 helicopters and An-2 biplane transports carrying a paratroop (or supply) drop. Observing the exercise was North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and a multitude of miltary brass and VIPs. Some of the footage in here is archival footage, and others seemingly repeated. Still, well worth a watch, particularly if you're interested in North Korean military hardware.

A big shout out to Tim Robinson for the heads-up!

Burmese rebels shoot down army helicopter

Ethnic Kachin rebels have claimed that they have shot down an unidentified Russian-built helicopter belonging to Myanmar's Air Force on the 4th of January. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) said the pilot died in the crash landing in a paddy field near Sinlum Bum village in N’Mawk (Momauk) Township, and that the helicopter was shot down by small arms fire during a resupply mission.

According to the Asian Military Review, the Myanmar Air Force operates the Mil Mi-2, Mi-8 and Mi-24/35 helicopters, all of which have varying transport capabilities.

VIDEO: CNN tours Libya's Mitiga Airbase

1980s Soviet plane-porn alert! CNN's Nic Robertson takes us on a tour of Libya's Mitiga Airbase soon after the fall of Tripoli to Libya's rebels, including climbing into the cockpit of a derelict Mi-8, shots of other derelict Mi-8s, MiG-23s, Chinooks, various VIP transports and the show-stealer of the piece, a carcass of a Tu-22 Blinder bomber.

Sudanese Mi-17 crashes in Darfur, five killed

A Sudanese military Mi-17 has crashed in North Darfur killing all five people on board. The five included three crew and two soldiers. This is the second Sudanese military helicopter to crash in a week, five days after an Mi-24 gunship crashed on takeoff in Khartoum.

Brand-new Kenyan Mi-171 crashes, crew survive

Kenya has lost one of its new Mi-171 helicopters when it crashed during a training flight. The pilot, co-pilot and a technician who were on board survived the accident and are receiving treatment.

Finland to donate last two Mi-8s to Hungary for Afghan ops

After 30 years of service, the last two Finnish Mi-8 transport helicopters will be donated to another country, probably Hungary, to be deployed in Afghanistan, under the NATO-EU Multinational Helicopter Initiative.

Firm may protest deal to supply Afghan Mi-8/17s via Rosoboronexport

A small Alabama-based firm, Defense Technology Inc (DTI) is planning to protest the Army's plan to hand a contract to supply Afghanistan with Mi-8/17 helicopters to Rosoboroexport without a competitive tender process, saying it can do the job quicker and cheaper if it is allowed to compete.

More Mi-171E helicopters join Iraqi inventory

Bringing their total inventory of helicopters to 30, the Iraq Army Aviation Command has accepted delivery of four new Mi-171E helicopters. The delivery was part of an ongoing deal coordinated with the help of U.S. Forces-Iraq’s Iraq Security Assistance Mission.

Afghan Air Force begins first local overhaul of Mi-17 helicopters

The Afghan Air Force has begun it’s first local maintenance overhaul with the transport of one of its Mi-17s to Kabul Airport. Previous overhauls of its mi-17 fleet was carried out overseas, in countries such as Ukraine.

Afghan Mi-17 Pilot Rocket Training Begins

The Afghan Air Force's Kandahar Air Wing has begun rocket training for the first Afghan Mi-17 aircraft commander. The program has roughly six events before an aircraft commander is certified to shoot without an instructor and is patterned after the Mi-35 training developed by the USAF's 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group.

Hungary upgrading part of Mi-17 fleet for Afghanistan deployment

With an eye for deployment in Afghanistan, Hungary will upgrade at least two and possibly three Mi-17 helicopters. The Hungarian AF currently operates seven Mi-17s, the remaining airframe which it hopes to upgrade in the future. The helicopters would be deployed in 2012 or 2013.

The New Afghanistan Air Force

Air and Space magazine has spent some time embedded with the Mi-17 Hips of the new Afghan Air Force and has done a feature on the men and mentors of the nascent force.

12 killed in Indian AF chopper crash

An Indian Air Force (IAF) MI-17 helicopter crashed in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday, killing all 12 persons on board. The location of the crash, in the eastern Himalayan belt is considered aviation-unfriendly, however aircraft have to operate in the area to serve personnel in the forward posts along the border with China.

Iraq receives last pair of eight Mi-171s ordered from Russia

Iraq has received the last two in an order of eight Russian-made Mil Mi-171E multi-purpose helicopters ordered from Russia. The two helicopters were delivered to the Iraqi army's base at Taji via Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, where they underwent an avionics and weapons control system upgrade.

Rosoboronexport to compete in US helicopter tender for Afghanistan

Russia's state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport will compete in a helicopter tender for 21 Mi-171 Hip transport helicopters and equipment. The US government issued an RFP in July for the helicopters, to be used in the Afghan theater of operations.

The Russian exporter is also preparing a contract for the delivery of additional RD-93 jet engines to China. The RD-93 is a development of the RD-33 developed by Russia's Klimov design bureau for China's FC-1 Fierce Dragon fighter, known in Pakistan as the JF-17 Thunder.

Afghan Air Force Helicopter Fleet Grows

In early October, the Afghan Air Force received delivery of four new Mi-17 V5 helicopters, bringing the current fleet to 31. The Mi-17 is the AAF’s mainstay for airfield mobility, and will be distributed to air units throughout Afghanistan.

28 killed in Tajik Mi-8 crash

A Tajik military Mi-8 helicopter has crashed east of Tajikistan's capital, killing 28 soldiers on board, including several members of an elite unit. It is believed that the crash was not the result of hostile action.

Russian approves export of Mi-17s intended for Afghan AF

Defense Technology International has announced that preliminary export approval for 21 Mi-17 Hip helicopters in civilian configuration has been given by the Russian government. DTI will supply the helicopters to the US Navy who will then be delivered to the Afghan Air Force.

Mi-8/17 prices surge on high demand

The Mi-8/17 Hip transport helicopter is a valuable commodity. Prices for the Cold War-era Russian built helicopter have surged with demand in Afghanistan leading the way. Over 300 of the helicopters are being used by various armed forces and civilian operators alone.