People watch a Mi-26T2 during the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2017 in Zhukovsky, Russia, July 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The upgraded heavy Mi-26T2V helicopter developed for the Russian Aerospace Forces has performed its first flight, Russian Helicopters affiliated with Russia's Rostec said Sunday.

The helicopter made her maiden flight at the flight test center of its subordinate manufacturer Rostvertol located in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, according to the company's press service.

The prototype aircraft, manufactured by Rosvertol, will soon be showcased at the Army's "2018 international military and technical forum" to be held in the Moscow region on August 21-26 and the subsequent preliminary flight tests, the press service said.

Delivery of the newly modified helicopters to the Russian army will be carried out under the state armament program for 2018-2027, according to Anatoly Serdyukov, the industrial director of Rostec's aviation segment.

The upgraded Mi-26T2V helicopter, designed to air-lift equipment, large-sized cargoes and paratroops, has a lifting capacity of 20 tons and the ability to defend itself against various types of missiles.