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The solemn ceremony took place in Machulishchi, Minsk District on 28 November. It was the first batch of helicopters delivered as part of the contract on acquiring 12 military helicopters Mi-8MTV-5 from the Russian holding company Russian Helicopters. The contract was signed during the international defense technology expo Army 2015 in Russia.

The next batch of six helicopters is supposed to be delivered in 2017.

The Mi-8MTV-5 helicopter model is fitted with modern piloting, navigation, radio communication, and targeting solutions. The model is designed to carry out a number of tasks, including combat and transport operations. The body has been redesigned to increase the cargo load. The number of seats has been increased by a third. Now a Mi-8MTV-5 helicopter can land up to 35 paratroopers or transport up to 12 injured, who are accompanied by medics.

The helicopter has been fitted with a direct deployment system that allows four paratroopers to rope down to the ground at the same time. The piloting equipment has been fitted with night vision solutions. The helicopter is capable of carrying out missions in day and night time at low altitudes in complicated weather conditions in addition to being able to land and lift off in greenfield conditions.

During the handover ceremony three helicopter crews demonstrated how paratroopers can be deployed in complicated weather conditions.

The Mi-8 helicopter has been in production for decades and has become recognized as one of the world’s best helicopters in its category. So far over 12,000 helicopters have been made and sold to over 100 countries.