According to the official website of the Peruvian Army on the Facebook, the initial four Mi-171Sh-Ps were airlifted to the Peruvian capital, Lima, by an An-124-100 Ruslan freighter, operated by Russian carrier Volga-Dnepr, on 27 November 2014. The Ruslan's second flight with the similar batch on board took place in early December.

The Mi-171Sh-P is a version of the Mi-171Sh utility helicopter produced by the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. The variant was tailored to the requirements of the Peruvian Defence Ministry. In particular, the Mi-171Sh-P is fitted with several advanced systems enhancing its tactical effectiveness, a new defensive aids suite as well as avionics affording it the round-the-clock all-weather capability. The machine carries up to 26 troops in combat gear and is equipped with two sliding doors and an electric/hydraulic ramp, which allows quick disembarkation of the troops.

The current delivery to Peru is not the first one for Russian Helicopters. In July 2010, the Peruvian Army acquired six Mi-171Sh utility and two Mi-35P attack helicopters, which delivery was complete in October 2011. In all, Peru has taken delivery about 100 Soviet- and Russian-built helicopters since the late 1970s. The country's army aviation has long been operating Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters and their derivatives.

The contract for the 24 advanced Mi-171Sh-Ps is among the major deals Russia has clinched on the Latin American market, with its offset obligations providing for setting up a joint maintenance centre in Peru. According to the Peruvian media, the nation's defence ministry is planning to procure another major batch of Mi-171Sh-Ps - eight aircraft for the Air Force, eight for the Army Aviation and five for the Naval Aviation.

(Photo: Russian Helicopters)