Russian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Aircraft Industries (works under LET Kunovice brand, Czech Republic) on delivery of four L-410 aircraft, Lenta.ru reports.

It was declared by Andrey Kozitsin, CEO of Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company, which controls 51% of LET’s shares. According to Kozitsin, the aircraft acquired by the ministry will be delivered in 2013. At that the contract includes an option for additional four L-410s. Kozitsin did not specify the configuration of the turboprops delivered to the Ministry of Defense. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Russian air forces are already operating seven L-410s.

Vzlet has reported earlier that Russian Ministry of Defense acquired four L-410UVP-E20 aircraft in February-April period of 2011 and signed an agreement in December 2011 on delivery of three more aircraft of the type (the total cost of the turboprops is 450 million rubles). The aircraft should be delivered by the end of November 2012.

Apparently the last three turboprops have been acquired in the network of a tender opened in November 2011. Ground equipment for aircraft maintenance and spare parts should also be delivered to the air forces. According to the description of the tender, the new vehicles will join the military unit number 42829 located in Shelkovo-10.

L-410 aircraft performed its maiden flight in 1970. The turboprop’s maximum flight speed is 457 km/h. Its range is 546 km. The vehicle is intended for transportation of 19 passengers or 1,7 tons of cargo. The UVP-E20 version differs from the basic L-410, because it is equipped with five-blade propellers, more powerful engines and it has short takeoff and landing capability.

L-410UVP-E20 is manufactured in two versions: the basic one and the version with the glass cockpit. The cost of these aircraft is €2.4 million and €2.6 million respectively.