The Defence Ministry on Wednesday denied claims by a commercial broadcaster about the poorly performed overhaul of the Mi-171 sh helicopters, and countered the allegations giving "concrete data and statistical figures on the use of Mi-171 sh army helicopters in the implementation of tasks and missions."

For the purpose of providing the general public with accurate information, the ministry feels obliged to respond to the reports made by the Nova TV television on Monday and Tuesday about this topic and it also dismisses the reports prepared by reporter Ivana Pezo Moskoljev as “tendentious and incorrect.”

The ministry says that the overhaul of the helicopters concerned was performed in a professional manner by the Aeronautical Technical Centre (ZTC) in Velika Gorica and by the “Russian Helicopters” company from Russia.

The ministry also notes that the Russian partner selected by the ZTC centre is certified for this type of task.

The ministry goes on to say that of the 10 Mi-171 sh helicopters that were overhauled, five are operational, three are undergoing periodical maintenance, and two are in the process of removing identified defects during the warranty period.

The overhauled helicopters have registered over 1,000 flight hours in a year.

The fact that three of the overhauled helicopters are now in for regular maintenance only confirms the fact that the helicopters are being kept in a good mechanical condition and that they have been in constant use, which is why they now need to undergo regular maintenance, says the ministry.

Since the overhaul, those types of helicopters have been sent to the island of Krk to be on 24-hour duty. In 2019, they were used for 693 flights for medical purposes and 279 patients were transported aboard.

In January 2020 alone, they performed 54 medical flights, the ministry underscores.

Furthermore, the helicopters are available for rescue operations. In November 2019, two Croatian Mi-171 sh army helicopters flew to Albania to be included in providing humanitarian assistance to quake-hit areas. The helicopters were also used for the KFOR mission in Kosovo where they performed 50 flight hours, the ministry says, adding that they are also used in strategic transport as support during military exercises.