Russian Defense Ministry to receive 5 combat copters for Arctic operation

The Russian Defense Ministry will receive five Mil Mi-8AMTSh-VA (Terminator) helicopters in 2016-2017 for operation in the Arctic, Russian Helicopters Group told TASS on Wednesday.

"Under a state defense contract placed with Russian Helicopters, the rotocraft group will deliver another five Mi-8AMTSh-Va helicopters to Russia’s Defense Ministry in 2016-2017," the company said.

The Ulan-Ude Aviation Enterprise in East Siberia is currently manufacturing two such helicopters. One of these machines will be re-based to the Tiksi aerodrome in the Polar region.

Military pilots have successfully completed their re-training course to operate the most advanced Arctic helicopter at the certified training center of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Enterprise.

The Mi-8AMTSh-VA has been developed on the basis of the Mi-8AMTSh-V military and transport rotocraft also known as the Terminator. The machine has been adapted to low temperatures, limited visibility and other specifics of operation in the Extreme North.

The contract for the delivery of these helicopters for the Russian troops’ Arctic grouping was signed with the Defense Ministry in February 2015 and is being fulfilled by the Ulan-Ude Aviation Enterprise along with a long-term contract for the helicopter deliveries until 2020.

The next Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopters will be delivered as part of the state defense order beginning from 2016.