Iraq has received 13 Mil Mi-28NE helicopters under a $4.2 billion defense contract with Russia.

Iraq has received 13 Mil Mi-28NE helicopters under a $4.2 billion defense contract with Russia.

The helicopters, dubbed “Night Hunter” for their night operation capabilities, were delivered to Umm Qasr Port on Sunday, Itar-Tass reported.

The Iraqi army received 15 similar aircraft last year, which they plan to use in the fight against militants.

Under the contract, signed in October 2012, Iraq is also to receive 24 Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft systems and 12 more Mi-28NEs.

In the autumn of 2013, the first group of Iraqi pilots and technicians completed their training in Russia.

The 4.2 billion US dollar contract for their supply was signed during the Iraqi president’s visit to Moscow in 2012.

In addition, in June 2013, the two countries signed a contract to supply Ka-52 military helicopters to Iraq. The preliminary agreement for the supply of these aircraft was signed in October 2012.