MOSCOW, March 31. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia will deliver the fourth batch of three helicopter gunships Mil Mi-35 to Brazil soon under the 2008 contract honoring fully the country’s liabilities under this agreement, Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Alexander Fomin told ITAR-TASS on Monday.

“Receiving of the fourth batch of these choppers is about to end. Machines will be delivered soon,” the head of the Russian military cooperation service said.

Fomin recalled that the final batch of three attack helicopters was delayed due to “technical issues”. The contract for delivery of 12 helicopter gunships Mi-35 to the Latin American country was signed in 2008.

Fomin noted that consultations with Brazil also continued for supply of air defense missile gun systems Pantsir-S1 to that country. “We are in active stage of talks and are doing works prior to the contract. Such planned events as demonstration shows of military hardware in our country were held,” he added. In the words of Fomin, it was early to say about possible deadlines for launch of delivery and the amount of supplies. “At first a contract should be signed,” he noted.

Last February deputy managing director of the Tula-based instrument-making design bureau Yuri Khozyainov told ITAR-TASS that Brazil hoped to receive three batteries of 18 combat vehicles Pantsir “after fulfilment of the offset program."