MOSCOW, May 17 - Russia had helicopter export contracts totaling 5 billion U.S. dollars, state arms export agency Rosoboronexport said Friday.Rosoboronexport representative Grigory Kozlov told reporters at the Sixth HeliRussia-2013 international fair 2.2 billion dollars worth, or 140 helicopters, was expected to be delivered in 2013.
In addition, Russia was also in the running for potential contracts totaling a further 9 billion dollars, he said.
Kozlov said Russian helicopters were superior to competitors' aircraft due to their advanced technical characteristics.
India was among the largest clients, with a potential order of 197 Ka-226T combat helicopters up for grabs in a current tender, he said.
"There is a chance we'll win that tender," Kozlov said.
Ka-226T is a multi-purpose helicopter equipped with French-made engines. It is capable of carrying a load of up to 1500 kg and has a speed of 200 km/h.
Besides India, Russia was vying to supply 12 Mi-17V5 helicopters to Afghanistan and 12 more Mi-35M craft to Brazil.
Rosoboronexport is the only Russian arms trader present at HeliRussia-2013, which started here Thursday.
In 2012, Russia exported helicopters worth a total of 1.5 billion dollars to 23 countries, according to the Rosoboronexport website. Its largest clients include India and China.
