RUSSIA MAY SELL HELICOPTERS TO MOZAMBIQUE

The Russian news agency Itar-TASS has reported that the Mozambican government is negotiating with Russia to buy five or six helicopters.Itar-TASS quoted Minister of Industry and Trade Demis Manturov as saying that Mozambique is interested in buying helicopters, especially for the President’s use.Manturov said, “most likely we will sell two Ansat helicopters, since now we are working actively with our South African partners on the project of joint modernisation of these helicopters”.He added that Russia and Mozambique are also negotiating “modernisation and probably sales of various versions of Mi-8 helicopters”.Manturov said that “initially, I think we will sell five or six helicopters. I think this could be done in 2013. So far the negotiating process is not over”.The Ansat is a light helicopter capable of carrying a pilot and ten passengers. It is estimated to cost about two million US dollars.