Russia and Iran Sign Deal for 21 Mi-171 Helicopters for Humanitarian Use

Russia's state-owned helicopter holding "Russian Helicopters" (Verkholoty Rossii), part of the Rostec state corporation, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran's Red Crescent Society for the supply of 21 Mi-171 helicopters. The agreement was signed in Moscow by Russian Helicopters CEO Nikolay Kolesov and the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pirhossein Kolivand. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.

The Mi-171 is the export variant of the widely used Mi-8 helicopter family, known for its reliability and ability to operate in diverse climates, including mountainous terrain up to 5,000 meters above sea level. The helicopters are intended exclusively for humanitarian and social missions, including medical evacuations, transport operations, and disaster response.

Kolesov emphasized that Iran is a long-standing partner of Rostec and Russian Helicopters, with dozens of Russian civilian helicopters already operating in the country. The deal underscores the deepening bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran, which has also seen progress in payment system integration and nuclear energy cooperation in recent weeks.

The helicopters will be produced at multiple Russian manufacturing sites, including the Kazan Helicopter Plant, the Progress aviation enterprise in the Far East, and the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, where final assembly will take place. The agreement highlights the continued demand for Russian rotorcraft in international markets.