The Russian Helicopters holding will join the Russian Arctic infrastructure modernization program to establish a helicopter deployment base in the region, according to CEO Alexander Mikheyev, RIA Novosti reports.

"The objective is to prepare proposals for helicopter basing facilities in the Arctic," he said.

Simple and reliable Mil and Kamov helicopters will be used in the Arctic, which can be stored without hangars in temperatures ranging from —50 to +50 degrees Celsius, he said.

"We will tighten our onboard systems [radioelectronic equipment] and avionics," Mikheyev said.

In recent years, Russia started active economic development of its northern territories, including hydrocarbon production and the development of the Northern Sea Route, which is becoming a viable alternative to traditional routes from Europe to Asia. An array of measures, including military measures, considering the growing interest that NATO member countries are showing in the region, are designed to uphold Russian interests in the Arctic.