October 2013 saw the completion of delivery of 12 Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters under additional agreements concluded between Rosoboronexport and the Government of the United States in 2012 under the prime contract’s option.

The prime contract to deliver 21 helicopters was signed by Rosoboronexport and the U.S. Government on May 26, 2011, outlining the policy of the two countries towards solving the common international problem associated with the situation in Afghanistan. The contract had been fulfilled by mid-2012.

In 2012, within the prime contract’s option, the parties signed amending agreements for the supply of an additional 12 Mi-17V-5s. In 2013, Rosoboronexport and the U.S. Government promptly agreed and signed a new major agreement to supply an additional batch of 30 helicopters in 2014, which once again demonstrated the mutual understanding between the parties and their focus on achieving a positive outcome.

A total of 63 Mi-17V-5 helicopters will be supplied for the Afghan National Army in accordance with the agreements between Russia and the U.S. in a joint effort to combat international terrorism.

The Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopter is a modern version of the Mi-8/17-type helicopters. It was developed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant’s design bureau with the participation of the Kazan Helicopter Plant with due regard to vast operational experience gained by its predecessors in a variety of armed conflicts, including in Afghanistan. Today, more than 2,400 Mil Mi-8/17-type helicopters are in service with more than 80 countries.

Rosoboronexport, a subsidiary of the Rostec Corporation, is the sole state-owned arms trade company in the Russian Federation authorized to export the full range of military and dual-purpose products, technologies and services. Rosoboronexport is one of the leading world arms exporters to the international market. Its share in Russia's military exports exceeds 80 percent. Rosoboronexport cooperates with more than 700 enterprises and organizations in the Russian defence industrial complex. Russia maintains military technical cooperation with more than 70 countries around the world.

The Russian corporation Rostec was established in 2007 with the purpose to render assistance to industries in the development, production and export of high-technology military and civil-purpose products. It comprises 663 enterprises grouped into eight holding companies in the defence industrial complex, and five holding companies in civil industry branches. The Rostec subsidiaries are located in 60 regions of the Russian Federation, and export their products to more than 70 countries worldwide.

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