MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Helicopters holding company has begun implementing a contract signed between Rosoboronexport and the United States Department of Defense for the supply of Mikoyan Mi-17V5 helicopters for Afghanistan, the company's General Director, Dmitry Petrov, told journalists on Wednesday.
"Helicopters are at various stages of assembly. This year, nine helicopters will be supplied, the rest will be supplied next year," Petrov said.
The helicopters are being assembled at the Kazan Helicopter Plant, which receives aircraft kits from the U.S., he said.
The contract for the supply of Russia's 21 Mi-17V5 military transport helicopters for the Afghan army was signed in May. This is the first big contract in the history of the U.S.-Russian military-technical cooperation, signed directly with the U.S. Defense Department.
The contract is worth around $300 million, according to informal sources.
Recently, a U.S. company sent 22 helicopters to Iraq that were made in Russia and adapted in the U.S. for the Iraqi army, Petrov also recalled.