CHENNAI (India), April 11. /TASS/. The first batch of Russia’s Kamov Ka-226T light multirole helicopters may be delivered to India by 2020, a source close to the Russian Helicopters rotorcraft manufacturer told TASS on Wednesday.

"The first batch of helicopters may be delivered by 2020, provided that a contract is signed," the source said.

Work on the contract is currently underway and is expected to be completed soon, the source added.

The parties are also agreeing on the number of helicopters that will be delivered in the first batch, the source said.

TASS does not yet have an official confirmation of this information.

The agreement between Russia and India on cooperation in helicopter manufacturing was signed in 2015. Under the document, Russian Helicopters Group will organize the deliveries of 200 Ka-226T helicopters and their modifications to India and their local production in that country, with no less than 140 of them to be produced at a joint venture in India.

The Ka-226T has a maximum takeoff weight of 3.6 tonnes and can transport up to a tonne of payload. The helicopter is furnished with modern avionics and a special crash-resistant fuel system. The copper can operate in various climatic conditions at temperature sways and in possible icing conditions.