Russian Helicopters to Supply Iran with 12 Mi-171 Helicopters

Russian Helicopters has signed documents today for supply of 21 civilian helicopters Mi-171 for the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the company said.

The signing of the contract marks the first international sales of Russian Helicopters to Iran in over 5 years.

The contract assumes significance in the wake of the Iran-US MoU to end the war between them and the U.S. commitment to end sanctions against Tehran and release  some $30 million in frozen assets which will enable Iran to modernize its ageing aviation fleet.

"Russian Helicopters holding of Rostec State Corporation signed documents for supply of 21 Mi-171 helicopters for the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The helicopters will be used in sanitary operations, for transport functions and for solving other socially significant tasks," the company said.

Iran is a long-standing partner of Rostec and Russian Helicopters, CEO of the holding Nikolay Kolesov said.

"Documents have been signed today to deliver twenty-one aircraft for the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first of which are planned to be handed over to the customer in 2027," Kolesov said.

Iran is severely deficient in helicopters with most of its choppers over 20 years old.