Russia has signed a "historic" contract on Mi-17 helicopter deliveries to Argentina, a member of a Russian delegation said on Wednesday.

"The contract provides for the delivery of two Mi-17 helicopters to the Argentinean Air Force," the official said, adding that the contract was signed on Tuesday evening.

The sale is the first time the Argentinean military has bought Russian military hardware, he said.

"Until now there has been no military-technical cooperation between Russia and Argentina," he said.

Vyacheslav Davidenko, spokesman for Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, confirmed the contract.

MOSCOW, September 1 (RIA Novosti)