KIEV, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian government on Tuesday signed an agreement to purchase 55 helicopters from France, said the Ukrainian Interior Ministry in a statement.
The contract worth about 551 million euros (635 million U.S. dollars) states that Ukraine will buy choppers of H145, H125 and H225 types produced by Airbus.
The choppers will be employed in Ukraine's rescue and anti-terror operations, as well as in border security, traffic control and evacuation missions.
After finalizing the deal, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsene Avakov said on Twitter that the helicopters will significantly strengthen rescue services in Ukraine.
Avakov signed the contract in Paris with Delphine Geny-Stephann, State Secretary of the French Economy and Finance Ministry.
The first four helicopters will be delivered to Ukraine by the end of this year.
