Ten overhauled Croatian Air Force Mi-171Sh helicopters were presented at a barracks near Zagreb on Monday, the Defence Ministry said in a press release.

A HRK 207 million overhaul contract was signed in 2017 with the Aviation Technical Centre, whose foreign partner was the Russian Helicopters company, which provided technical support.

The helicopters are used for humanitarian aid to civilian institutions in search and rescue operations, emergency medical flights, the transport of organs for transplantation and putting out fires. Since August, two aircraft have been participating in NATO’s peace-keeping operation in Kosovo.

Russian Ambassador Anvar Azimov thanked Croatia for the cooperation and said Russia was open for work and assistance in future projects.

Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic said he was pleased the overhauled helicopters were already being used and that this proved it had been a quality overhaul.

By September 1, the helicopters performed 1,714 medical flights, transferred 760 patients and took part in 13 search and rescue operations.

Military Chief Of Staff General Mirsko Sundov said the state was doing its best to modernise and equip the military in complex economic conditions.