The Royal Thai Army has received three medium Russian MI-17 V-5 transport helicopters including spare parts and training at a military barrack in Bangkok, Thailand.

The $29.1m transport helicopters will enhance transportation with efficiency according to the assignments and will be stationed at the Army Aviation Centre in Lopburi province, Bangkok.

The helicopters will be used for disaster relief missions that include extinguishing wild fire, assisting people in distress and transporting troops.

The Thai Government will pay for the helicopters from its 2008-2011 annual budgets, according to Xinhua News Agency.