Three Mi-8AMTSh-VA ("Terminator") helicopters and six Mi-8AMTSh helicopters adapted for Arctic weather conditions will be provided to the Russian Defense Ministry in 2016, TASS cited Leonid Belykh, managing director of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, as saying.

"In line with the government contracts, three Mi-8 Arctic helicopters will be delivered in 2016 and two more helicopters in 2017," Mr. Belykh said during the unified military goods commissioning day.

The plant's managing director added that in 2016 eight Mi-8AMTSh assault transport helicopters were manufactured and provided to the Russian Defense Ministry ahead of schedule as part of the state defense procurement program. "By year end, we will supply six more helicopters of the series," he noted.

According to Mr. Belykh, the plant has produced two Mi-8AMTSh-VA Arctic helicopters which are currently being tested.