MOSCOW - Russia is considering developing new military variants to the Mi-38 helicopter.
Citing an interview given to a Russian Helicopters magazine by Yuri Borisov, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Flight Global reported that Russia is considering the development of several new military variants for the Mi-38.
Deputy Defense Minister Borisov said "it is possible" that Russia will move forward with medical evacuation or electronic warfare variants of the helicopter.
He noted that no armed assault version of the helicopter will be created. He said, "It is not stimulated by the technical assignment."
Russia is currently developing the Mi-38T, a military variant of the Mi-38 designed with Russian components for transport operations.
In July, Deputy Defense Minister Borisov stated that over a dozen Mi-38Ts would be purchased in the coming years. Tass News Agency quoted him as saying, "Our plans include a purchase of some fifteen Mi-38 helicopters before 2020."
Deliveries of the Mi-38T meanwhile are expected to take place in 2018 and 2019.
Kazan Helicopter Enterprise said in a press release in August, "The Mi-38T prototype will undergo joint flight tests for compliance with the requirements of the Armed Forces. Following their results, subsequent purchases of Mi-38T helicopters will be planned for the needs of the Aerospace Force as part of the 2018-2025 state armament program."