KIEV, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two Ukrainian state-run enterprises won a contract to carry out the repair and the modernization of helicopters for the Turkish gendarmerie forces, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said Wednesday.

Under the contract worth 40 million U.S. dollars, Ukraine's aircraft equipment producer Motor Sich and Konotop aircraft repair plant will upgrade 17 Mi-17 helicopters, the ministry said in a statement.

The Mi-17 is a Soviet-designed multi-purpose chopper, which has a seating capacity of up to 24 people, a maximum speed of 280 km per hour and a flying range of about 800 km.

Motor Sich produces engines for various aircraft, including Mi-17 helicopters, while Konotop aircraft repair plant carries out diagnostics, repair, maintenance and modernization of helicopters.