The Brazilian helicopter company Atlas Air Taxi Aereo has just confirmed that it signed a contract with Moscow’s JSC Russian Helicopters agency on 25 Nov 2010 for two Mil Mi-171A1 transport helicopters.

Including a considerable guarantee and training services, the deal will represent the Brazilian civil market’s first commercial use of a Russian aircraft. Negotiations has been conducted by ‘Logitec Consultoria’, the same company in charge for the introduction of 12 Mi-35M combat helicopters into the Brazilian Air Force.

The Russian design will be delivered equipped with avionics supplied in order to attend special requirements by the Oil and Gas Industry, main client for Atlas’ services.

Another clear signal from the Russians toward Latin America, especially to Brazil, a valuable partner in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) group.