Russian Helicopters’ Ulan Ude factory will build Mi-171E multipurpose helicopters under a recent contract with China, a high-ranking defense industry source said on Tuesday.

Moscow and Beijing signed a contract in late July on the delivery of 55 Mi-171E helicopters to China. The cost of one unit in its basic configuration is estimated at $10-12 million.

“One of the largest helicopter export contracts on the delivery of Mi-171E helicopters to China will be carried out by the Ulan Ude aircraft plant,”

Mi-171E is an advanced export version of the famed Mi-8 transport helicopter capable of transporting 37 passengers to a distance of 610 km (380 miles) at a speed of 250 km/h. Its loading capacity is four metric tons.

Mi-171E was specifically designed for operations in Middle East and Asian countries.

Source and photo: Ulan Ude Aviation plant