Illustrative image. (ISNA News Agency)
Russian Helicopters Holding Company signed a deal for the supply of 21 civilian helicopters Mi-171 for the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), the company announced on June 17.
The deal was signed at the headquarters of the company in Moscow by its CEO Nikolay Kolesov and IRCS President Pir-Hossein Koulivand.
“Russian Helicopters holding of Rostec State Corporation signed documents for supply of 21 Mi-171 helicopters for the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The helicopters will be used in sanitary operations, for transport functions and for solving other socially significant tasks,” the company said in a statement.
Commenting on the deal, Kolesov said that Iran is a long-standing partner of Rostec and Russian Helicopters Holding Company.
“Documents have been signed today to deliver twenty-one aircraft for the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first of which are planned to be handed over to the customer in 2027,” Kolesov said.
Expressing his appreciation for the coordination efforts of the Iranian Embassy in Russia and the parliamentary support from the Islamic Consultative Assembly after the deal was signed, Koulivand detailed the technical capabilities of the helicopters.
“These helicopters are equipped with modern technology and night-vision systems, enabling night flight operations,” the IRCS chief noted. “Furthermore, they are outfitted for firefighting operations as well as providing medical and emergency rescue services.”
Iran already operates dozens of Mi-8, Mi-17, and Mi-171, although most of these helicopters are in service with the Islamic Republic’s armed forces.
The purchase of modern Russian helicopters for Iran’s civilian aviation began in the early 2000s, with the aim of replacing old Western helicopters that were purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
There have been reports of Iran losing several helicopters of these types during recent confrontation, but the destruction of a single Mi-17 was documented during the 12-day war with Israel last year.
It’s worth noting that in 2024, there were reports of the IRCS inking a deal with Russia for 12 helicopters at a cost around $500 million. It is unclear yet if that deal is a part of the contract signed in Moscow, or if the two purchases are completely separate.
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russia betrayed iran because putin is the son of a jewish woman. khazarian pussia is a traitor and if the iranians were even a little smart they would have dropped atomic bombs on aleppo and both russian bases in syria. the iranians should know that russia’s betrayal of syria has caused iran wil go the way of libya.