MOSCOW, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Russian army will receive the latest modification of the Mi-28UB helicopters in 2017, the head of combat training of the Russia's Aerospace Forces, Major Gen. Oleg Chesnokov said Friday.

"Currently, the Mi-28UB helicopters have passed state tests and their delivery to the Russian aviation units will begin in 2017," the Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Chesnokov as saying.

He explained that firstly, the Mi-28UB will be delivered to the 344th Center for operational use and pilots' retraining for army aviation in the Russian city of Torzhok, and then the newest helicopters will be delivered to the units of Russia's Aerospace Forces.

"The experience with using the Mi-28N helicopters showed the need for the release of the same type of helicopters with dual controls -- the Mi-28UB helicopter," said Chesnokov, adding that the pilots and instructors of The Torzhok center have already passed the retraining program for this new type.

The Mi-28N is an attack helicopter designed for the search and destruction of tanks, of armored and soft-skinned vehicles, and of the low-speed air targets.