MOSCOW. Sept 3 (Interfax) - Russian Helicopters and the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry have signed an agreement on the delivery of four Arctic-version Mil Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopters for rescue operations in Russia's Arctic region, the holding company's press service said.
"In line with the agreement, a contract for the delivery of four Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopters for the ministry will be finalized in September 2021. Two helicopters will be delivered to the customer in 2022 and the other two in 2023," Russian Helicopters said.
The agreement was signed at the Eastern Economic Forum between Deputy Emergency Situations Minister Viktor Yatsutsenko and Alexei Kozlov, managing director of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant incorporated in Rostec.
"This version of the helicopter has flown several thousand hours in the Arctic and has shown itself excellently in severe northern conditions. A unique transmission heating system makes it possible to promptly start the engines even at very low temperatures, which is extremely important in organizing urgent rescue missions," the press service quoted Kozlov as saying.
Such helicopters are indispensable in fighting forest fires, as medical evacuation transport, and in delivering rescuers to hard-to-reach areas.
"The new helicopters will be provided to newly-established Arctic units of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry to protect the population and territories of Russia's Arctic region and ensure the safety of the Northern Sea Route," Yatsutsenko said.
The Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopter was built specifically for operating in northern regions. The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant started its serial production in 2015. Its main design specifics include a heating system for the lubrication circuit and transmission, which makes it possible to promptly start the helicopter's engines under temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius. In addition, owing to external fuel tanks, the Mi-8AMTSh-VA can fly for over seven hours and cover distances of up to 1,400 kilometers.