MOSCOW, May 21 (RIA Novosti) – Russia's state arms exporter plans to deliver more than 300 military helicopters to its foreign customers by 2018, the head of the Rosoboronexport delegation to the HeliRussia 2014 expo told RIA Novosti Wednesday.
“In the near-term prospect (2015-2017), supplies under the signed contracts will reach nearly 200 helicopters of various types to 12 countries,” Vladislav Kuzmichev said ahead of the exhibition opening in Moscow.
This year, exports will remain at 140 helicopters, the same level as last year.
Russia has good prospects for markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Former Soviet states also have a keen interest in Russian helicopters, Kuzmichev said.
Rosoboronexport plans to deliver Mi-17B-5 and Mi-171Sh multi-role helicopters, as well as Mi-35M multipurpose military transport helicopters and Mi-28NE Night Hunter attack helicopters to nine countries this year.
Mi-28NE helicopters have been exported to Iraq for the first time this year, Kuzmichev added.
The HeliRussia exhibition is the only expo in Russia where domestic and foreign companies present their achievements in a whole range of products and services in the global helicopter industry – from design to production and operation.
The exhibition, which debuted in 2008, is organized by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade. HeliRussia-2014 opens at Moscow’s International Exhibition Center Crocus Expo on Thursday.
