Six new multi-role Ansat-U helicopters have been delivered to the Sokol training air group of the Air Force Academy named after N.E. Zhukovsky and Y.A. Gagarin, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the official representative of Russian Air Forces, Colonel Igor Klimov.

"The helicopters departed from the airfield of Kazan Helicopters factory and headed to Syzran airfield. After refueling the vehicles headed from Syzran to Sokol airfield (Saratov Region). The duration of flight was about 3 hours", — Klimov said.

He said that at present Ansat-U is being operated by pilot-instructors. The academy’s fleet comprises 19 helicopters of the type.

"The academy’s cadets will start operating Ansat-U helicopters in 2014", — Klimov said.

Ansat-U is a light helicopter intended for ab initio training of cadets of air force academies, the representative of Russian air forces noted. In future Ansat-U helicopters will replace all the Mi-2s. Ansat-U’s cockpit may be fitted with any additional equipment. Moreover, the helicopter may be fitted with flotation system, searchlight and fire-fighting equipment. It may also be equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks in order to increase the vehicle’s range.