Russian Helicopters rotocraft manufacturer, part of state hi-tech corporation Rostec, plans to deliver a pre-production batch of upgraded Mil Mi-28N “Night Hunter” helicopters to the Defense Ministry in 2018, Russian Helicopters Head Alexander Mikheyev said on Wednesday.

We plan the pilot pre-production batch of helicopters for delivery in 2018,” he said.

The prototype of the modernized Night Hunter helicopter has made its first flight in the town of Tomilino in the Moscow Region on Wednesday.

It was reported earlier that the works on the new modification of the Night Hunter helicopter had started in 2009.

This version will be furnished with a new all-round surveillance radar, a new control system and other equipment and will also feature increased capabilities for using precision weapons.

Russian Aerospace Force Commander-in-Chief Viktor Bondarev said earlier that the new version of the Mi-28N helicopter would start arriving for the Russian Armed Forces no later than 2018.