Russian aerospace forces to receive Mi-8AMTSh helicopters.

The formation of the Aerospace Forces deployed in Moscow region received a batch of the latest Mi-8AMTSh helicopters of a special modification, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Mi-8AMTSh helicopter at MAKS in Russia (Picture source : Air Recognition)

"Pilots and technicians accepted the hardware at the producer enterprise, checked all systems and units in the air and on the ground," it said. Pilots and engineers were retrained to operate the new helicopters which were delivered to the permanent deployment base and will engage in scheduled flights in the near future.

Mi-8AMTSh transport and assault helicopter (Hip by NATO classification) is a modernized option of Mi-8 combat-transport craft designated to destroy hardware, including armored, cover and fire positions, and troops of the adversary. The helicopter can be armed with unguided weapons and high-precision armaments, in particular, antitank guided 9M120 Ataka or 9M114 Shturm missiles.

The helicopter can carry up to 37 paratroopers, 12 wounded on stretches or airlift up to 4 tons of cargo, engage in search-and-rescue and evacuation operations. The craft has two VK-2500 engines of enhanced capacity and a complex of defense means. The cockpit of the new helicopter is equipped with multifunctional indicators to display the map of the terrain and the latest navigational and piloting equipment which operates with GPS and GLONASS satellite navigation systems. Mi-8AMTSh is distinguished by improved resource characteristics which decrease maintenance costs during the life cycle.

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