Russian Helicopters rotocraft manufacturer expects to sign a contract with the Defense Ministry on the deliveries of Mil Mi-38 helicopters in the third quarter of this year, Russian Helicopters CEO Andrei Boginsky said on Thursday.

"As soon as the contract is available," he said in response to a question about the commencement of the production of Mi-38 helicopters for the Russian Defense Ministry.

As the Russian Helicopters chief executive said, he hoped that the agreement would be signed this year and the deliveries would begin in 2018-2019.

This will depend on contractual terms and theoretically production could begin this year, he added.

There are currently five flight models, Boginsky said.

"We are actively holding trials <…> to get a certificate for the passenger version. We envisage holding full certification until the end of this year," he said.