Belarus ministry of defence delegation, headed by defence minister´s deputy Igor Lotenkov, has visited Kazan´s helicopter plant of „Russian helicopters“ holding. The official visit was connected with concluding of the contract, for supplying 12 Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters to ministry of defence of Belarus. The second batch consisting of 6 helicopters will be delivered to the customer soon. In the course of the visit, representatives of the Belarussian delegation, accompanied with Andrey Boginskyi - general director of the “Russian helicopters” holding, and management of the factory, were presented with progress of the production on the second batch of Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters and listened to the presentation of head of the acquisition committee of the ministry of defence of Belarus. “Belarus has always been and will remain important and strategic partner for us. We are glad to announce fulfilment of the contract for 12 helicopters for Belarus´s defence ministry. Originally, the term of delivery of the second batch was scheduled for May, however Kazan´s helicopter plant is ready to supply the machines already in April”, said Andrey Boginskyi, general director of “Russian helicopters” holding. Belarussian guests also visited various sections of Kazan´s helicopters plant, which has started the modernisation and technical re-equipping of the plant.

Later on, they were shown production and assembly lines for equipment and fuselages for the Mi-8/17; Ansat and Mi-38 helicopters. Moreover, they have visited the section of final assembly, where the management presented Mi-8MTV-1 and Mi-17V-5 and also smaller section, where Ansat helicopters are assembled. Belarusian delegation has expressed their interest in those lightweight helicopters. After the visit came to its end, Belarussian delegation has expressed their gratitude to the leadership of the Kazan helicopter plant, for their high professionality, initiative and providing training to flying and ground personnel of the Belarussian air and air defence forces on the Mi-8MTV-5 helicopter, which took place between 7^th and 26^th September 2016.