Moscow, June 18 (IANS): Russia has sent Pakistan a draft contract on the delivery of four Mil Mi-35M combat helicopters, according to a source in the Russian system of military and technical cooperation.

"Following the results of the talks held earlier on helicopters, which Pakistan would like to get from Russia, a draft contract on the delivery of four Mi-35M gunships has been sent to the Pakistani side. Pakistan is now studying the document," TASS news agency quoted the source as saying on Wednesday.

Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said that talks were under way with the Pakistani side on the delivery of the helicopters. However, it declined to disclose the details of the consultations.

Russia's Rostec hi-tech corporation CEO Sergei Chemezov said last year that Russia had lifted its embargo on the delivery of armaments and military hardware to Pakistan and was holding negotiations on the delivery of helicopters to that country.

Russia's foreign ministry later said the sides were negotiating the delivery of a batch of Mi-35 helicopters. Pakistan currently has several Mi-17 helicopters transferred by the US as assistance in the fight against militants.

The Mi-35M is a profoundly modernised version of the Mi-24 (Hind) attack helicopter with new avionics and onboard equipment, a different tail rotor and a more powerful engine.