Russian Defense Ministry Receives New Batch of Mi-17 Helicopters

A new batch of Mil Mi-8/17 transport helicopters has been supplied by the Russian Helicopters company under a Defense Ministry contract, it was announced in a corporate press release Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The last batch of the Mil Mi-17 upgraded Mi-8MTV-5-1 model was supplied to the Russian Army in 2015, along with six Ansat-U helicopters.

"The Russian Helicopters holding has delivered another batch of military transport Mi-8MTV-5-1 helicopters to the Russian Defense Ministry's operating organizations, as well as supplying one Ansat-U [utility helicopter]. The helicopters have withstood all types of tests stipulated by the government contract and the terms of the technical documentation," the company said.

The Russian Defense Ministry is the largest client for Russian-built helicopters.

"Producing equipment for state defense orders and its timely supply to the client is a priority for Russian Helicopters," the company stated, adding that the Kazan Helicopter Plant, which produces the Ansat-U, is currently modernizing its production facilities in order to fulfill state orders for its helicopters.

The Mi-8MTV-5-1 is supplied to Russia’s military and law-enforcement agencies, and is designed to transport up to 4,000 kg of cargo and equipment. The helicopter can also fly search-and-rescue missions and carry out a number of specialized tasks.

The Ansat-U is a light training helicopter designed for effective military pilot training.

Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom (part of Rostec corporation) is a global leader in the field of helicopter manufacture and the only developer and manufacturer of helicopters in Russia.