Russian Defense Ministry and Russian Helicopters discuss delivery of Mi-26T2V helicopters.

Russian Helicopters Group is planning to sign a contract for the delivery of the first batch of upgraded Mil Mi-26T2V rotorcraft with the Russian Defense Ministry in 2019, Group Deputy CEO for Military Helicopters Sales Vladislav Savelyev told TASS.

A Russian Helicopters Mi-26T2 Super Heavy-Lift Cargo Helicopter
(Credit: Russian Helicopters)

"Russian Helicopters Group is manufacturing a Mi-26T2V rotorcraft prototype. After its trials are completed, the Defense Ministry will place an order for a certain batch. I believe this will happen in 2019," Savelyev said.

The group is manufacturing the prototype at its own expense. "I believe that we will show it to the Defense Ministry at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year," the group’s deputy CEO said.

According to Savelyev, this version is planned to be delivered to units under the 2018-2027 state armament program.The helicopter will differ from the Mi-26T2 (NATO reporting name: Halo) rotorcraft by its crew composition, operational capabilities of its navigation and onboard equipment and communication systems designed for the Defense Ministry.As Savelyev said, the Mi-26T2V will remain the biggest transport helicopter and will not carry any heavy weapon but it is planned to be equipped with gun pivots.

The Mi-26T2V is being developed on the basis of the Mi-26T2 helicopter that is an upgraded version of the Mi-26T rotorcraft with state-of-the-art avionics.

The serial production of the Mi-26T2 helicopter started in May 2015. It was reported in the autumn of 2016 that the Defense Ministry had ordered a special military version of the Mi-26T2 helicopter, i.e. the Mi-26T2V, which would be able to take off from and land onto rough terrain.

The Mi-26T2V helicopter is designed to transport military hardware, large cargo and paratroopers.As it was reported earlier, the Mi-26T2V helicopter prototype being made by the Rostvertol Enterprise is expected to perform its maiden flight before early July. The Rostvertol Enterprise is a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters Group.