Russia in talks with India on contracts for military helicopters

MOSCOW, December 10 (RIA Novosti) - State-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport is negotiating with India over deliveries of Russia's Mi-17 multirole military helicopters, the general director of the Moscow Mil helicopter plant said on Monday.

"We believe that Rosoboronexport will soon sign a contract," Andrei Shibitov said.

There are currently some 12,000 Mi-17 helicopters (NATO reporting name Hip-H) in use all over the world, while 70 countries have officially adopted them for military service.

He also said Russia and India are considering the possibility of modernizing the Mi-24 helicopter gunship, which is currently in service with the Indian military.

Shibitov said the Mil plant could within the next one or two years sign contracts for the delivery of Mi-28H Night Hunter attack helicopters to the Middle East, Latin America, and North Africa.