BUENOS AIRES, June 22 (RIA Novosti correspondent Yury Nikolayev) - Peru's president signed an agreement with Rosoboronexport, Russia's state arms dealer, on the repair of 13 Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters.

Local newspapers write the contract costs $13 million.

"Maintaining aircraft in operation readiness meets the country's national interests," President Alejandro Toledo said at the signing ceremony.

"The Russian helicopters in use in the Peruvian army serve the task of maintaining peace in the country," said the president.

Toledo said the contract would be prolonged, and another 13 helicopters and eight An-26 aircraft would be repaired in the second phase of contract works.

Peru is Russia's long-established partner in the military and technological sphere in Latin America. It was the first in the region to start military cooperation with the then Soviet Union. Mi-8, Mi-17 copters, Su-20, Su-22 assault aircraft, MiG-29 jet fighters, and An-26 planes are currently in use in the Peruvian armed forces.

Most of the aircraft require update and repair, while some of them will have to be replaced in the future.

Experts said the repair and update to prolong the aircraft's service life would cost around $250 million.