The first four Russian-produced Mi-35 helicopters have been delivered to Umm Qasr port (Iraq), RIA Novosti reports with reference to the prime-minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki.

The Defense Minister of Iraq, Saadoun al-Dulaimi, said earlier that the weapons for these helicopters were delivered to Iraq several months ago.

According to one of the leaders of the ruling party, Abbas al-Bayati, the country plans to take deliveries of the rest vehicles (the contract signed by Russia and Iraq assumes deliveries of 40 Mi-35 and Mi-28NE helicopters) in 2013.

Iraq will use the helicopters for border control and anti-terrorism efforts. The contract between Russia and Iraq (total value about $4.3 billion) was signed in 2012.