Russian Helicopters is to develop an arctic variant of Mil Mi-38 multirole medium lift helicopters. Speaking during his visit to Kazan Helicopter Enterprise on Wednesday, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov revealed the new Mil Mi-38 helicopter has the prospect of its manufacture in its Arctic variant and it will take up the niche between the Mi-8 and the Mi-26 helicopters. Borisov also said the new helicopter’s fate depends on how the enterprise will be able to adapt it to the requirements of the Defence Ministry.

Powered with Klimov TV7-117V engines, Mi-38 provides increased payload capacity by additional one thousand kilograms over the Mi-8. The helicopter made its maiden flight in 2003 and can carry 5 thousand kg of cargo internally or 7 thousand kg externally.