The Venezuelan government placed an order with Russian weapons manufacturer Rostvertol for attack helicopters MI-28N.

The firm's director Boris Sliusar said it was "premature to talk about deadlines and quantities," because "the agreement is yet to be initialed."

However, he said the first units were likely to be delivered in the first half of 2009, news agency Ria Novosti said.

Mi-28N choppers -known as "Night Hunter"- are last-generation attack helicopters with a major goal to provide air support to terrestrial troops, regardless of weather conditions. With an outstanding flight speed (186 m/h), it is virtually invisible to anti-aircraft defense. It features a two-place armored cabin and is equipped with state-of-the-art air weapons allowing hitting target under poor weather conditions.

The first MI-28N choppers manufactured by Rostvertol were delivered last Tuesday to the Russian Defense Ministry.

President Hugo Chávez showed interest in the "Night Hunter" in July 2007, when he visited the manufacturing plant.

Venezuela has purchased from Russia multi-purpose cargo helicopters Mi-17, combat helicopters MI-35, and choppers MI-26, viewed as the largest helicopter in the world.