Iraq starts taking delivery of Russian Mi-35 helicopters

Key Points
Iraq has begun to receive Russian Mi-35 'Hind' helicopters
The state is ordering Mi-35 and Mi-28 helicopters despite earlier concerns about corruption

Iraq has received the first of four Russian-built Mi-35 'Hind' helicopters, according to Iraqi government officials and press reports.

The Iraqi government has ordered a total of about 40 Mi-35 and 40 Mi-28 'Havoc' attack helicopters from Russia, according to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The rest of the helicopters will arrive in batches over the coming weeks, according to the post.

The purchase is part of a broader multi-billion arms deal with Russia. IHS Jane's reported in June 2013 that the deal also includes more than 40 Pantsyr-S1 mobile air-defence systems, and other media reports note that a Ka-52 'Hokum-B' twin-seat attack helicopter is part of the deal as well.

Iraq almost cancelled the weapons agreement with Russia earlier this year due to concerns about corruption. In March, however, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that deliveries would move forward.

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