The Brazilian government has used a visit by Russian president Dmitri Medvedev to confirm that it signed a contract with Moscow's Rosoboronexport arms agency in late October for 12 Mil Mi-35M attack helicopters.
Worth around $300 million and also including a sizeable spares package, weapons and training services, the deal represents the Brazilian air force's first purchase of a Russian aircraft.
The air force earlier this year shortlisted AgustaWestland's AW129 and the Mi-35M as candidates for its attack helicopter requirement.