Russia will deliver 4 Mil Mi-171E transport helicopters to China, Rosoboronexport state intermediary Director General Alexander Mikheev said Friday.

"We signed a contract for the supply of an additional batch of Mi-171E transport helicopters and their assets to China. Our partners will receive four aircraft. The contract will be executed in 2018," Mikheev said as quoted by Rosoboronexport.

He added that the export/import agency signed a deal with China on the delivery of four VK-2500 turboshaft engines for Mi-17 helicopters next year.

"The delivery of engines will be carried out in 2018," Mikheev said.

The Mi-8/17 military transport helicopters are used in medical support operations and search and rescue operations, as well as for the transportation of cargo and people. As of now, over 12,000 of such machines have been produced and delivered to 100 countries worldwide.

The VK-2500 engines produced by Russia's JSC Klimov are characterized by improved flight safety, enhanced speed and maneuverability.