Russian Defense Ministry Signs $380M Helicopter Deal

ULAN-UDE, August 3 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Defense Ministry and Russian Helicopters Holding on Saturday signed a 12.6 billion rubles (about $380 million) contract for 40 Mil Mi-8 AMTSh helicopters, the company said.

The contract was signed by Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov and Russian Helicopters CEO Dmitry Petrov.

Helicopter deliveries are to begin next year, Petrov said.

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.