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Russia getting helicopters for Arctic operations

The five Mi-8AMTSh-VA choppers have been adapted for low temperatures and other Arctic conditions.

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Russia will in the next year reportedly receive five modified Mi-8AMTSh-V helicopters specifically tweaked for Arctic operations. Photo courtesy Russian Helicopters
Russia will in the next year reportedly receive five modified Mi-8AMTSh-V helicopters specifically tweaked for Arctic operations. Photo courtesy Russian Helicopters

MOSCOW, May 25 (UPI) -- The Russian military will reportedly receive five Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopters for operations in the Arctic in the coming year.

The helicopters have been adapted for low temperatures, limited visibility and other operational requirements in the "Extreme North," Russian Helicopters Group told Tass news agency on Wednesday.

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The contract for the helicopters was signed in February 2015 and is being fulfilled via the Ulan-Ude Aviation Enterprise, in a deal that will provide helicopter deliveries until 2020, according to Tass.

The Arctic helicopter was based on the Mi-8AMTSh-V military and transport rotocraft, also known as the "Terminator."

The East Siberia-based Ulan-Ude is manufacturing the helicopter, with at some slated to be based at the Tiksi aerodrome in the Polar region.

Pilots have successfully re-trained to operate the advanced helicopter, the Tass report states.

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