Article Posted on : - Aug 22, 2012

MOSCOW (BNS): A Russian plant will build Mi-171E multirole helicopters for China under a recent contract signed between the two countries, according to a media report.

The Russian Helicopters' Ulan Ude plant will manufacture the military transport choppers for China, Ria Novosti news agency reported on Tuesday quoting a top defence industry official.

"One of the largest helicopter export contracts on the delivery of Mi-171E helicopters to China will be carried out by the Ulan Ude aircraft plant," the source said.

Russia and China had inked a deal in July this year for the delivery of 55 Mi-171E helicopters.

The cost of each unit in its basic configuration is estimated at $10-12 million, the report said.

The Mi-171 is an advanced export version of the Mi-8 transport helicopter. It can be used for both commercial and military purposes, depending on modifications.

The Mi-171E has specifically been designed for operations in Middle East and Asian countries, the source said.