Article Posted on : - Aug 06, 2013

Mi-8 helicopter. Photo: Russian helicopters

ULAN-UDE (BNS): The Russian Ministry of Defence and Russian Helicopters Holding have signed a contract for 40 Mil Mi-8 AMTSh helicopters.

The contract worth 12.6 billion rubles (about $380 million) was signed by Deputy Defence Minister Yury Borisov and Russian Helicopters CEO Dmitry Petrov.

Delivery of the helicopters will begin in 2014, according to the Company.

The Mi-8 AMTSh is a combat transport version of the Mi-17 helicopter, with more powerful turboshafts and portside tail rotor.

Its weapon systems include Igla-V AAM or Shturm-V ASM missiles, B8V20 rocket pods and a GSh-23 gun, a Ria Novosti report said.