ZHUHAI, China: The Russian multi-role heavy transport helicopter Mi-26TС manufactured by Rostvertol JSC, a subsidiary of the Russian Helicopters holding company, was officially delivered to its customer and arrived in China not long before Airshow China 2010 opening tomorrow in Zhuhai.
The contract for the delivery of the heavy Mi-26TС to the People’s Republic of China was signed between Rostvertol JSC and Lectern Aviation Supplies Co., Ltd. (China) in March 2010. This is the third Mi-26TC sold by Rostvertol in the PRC. The Mi-26TC was completed three months before the due date set in the contract pursuant to the request from the Chinese side. The new heavy Mi-26TC is scheduled to serve in one of the fire-hazardous regions of China and put out forest fires.
Besides, a new contract is in the works with Lectern Aviation for the purchase of another Mi-26TC. According to experts, the Chinese market sees high demand for the type of tasks the heavy Russian Mi-26TC can handle.
A contract is in execution by Russian Helicopters to deliver 32 multi-role Mi-171E helicopters manufactured by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (UUAP) to China. UUAP has already delivered 24 Mi-171 helicopters to a Chinese customer in 2007.
Chinese aviation market specialists will have an opportunity to find out more about these and other Russian rotorcraft at Airshow China 2010 in Hall 1 at Stand A1-AB, at the Russian Helicopters booth, which will be a part of the exposition of United Industrial Corporation Oboronprom, a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. The Chinese market will be shown the light multi-role Ansat and Ka-226T, medium Mi-17 and Ka-32A11BC type helicopters, the new medium-to-heavy Mi-38, and the combat Mi-35M, Mi-28N Night Hunter, and the Ka-52 Alligator.
The medium multi-role Ka-32A11BC is certified in China. Russian Helicopters holding company is currently holding talks to deliver a large number of Ka-32A11BC helicopters for use in rescue and firefighting operations.
Apart from China, the Ka-32A11BC is certified in the European Union, Chile, Mexico, South Korea, Canada, and other countries. Its outstanding performance and capability of working with external loads in difficult high-mountain and high-temperature conditions have sparked interest in this helicopter in many countries. The helicopter has proven itself extremely efficient in firefighting operations.
The Ka-32A11BC is designed by Kamov, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters, and built by Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, also a subsidiary of the holding company. This classic coaxial (dual) rotor helicopter can carry passengers and loads and can also be used in high-rise construction and surveillance. It can also perform search and rescue missions and combat fires.
Ka-32 helicopters of various modification are successfully operated in Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and outside Europe – in Canada, South Korea, Chile, Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, China, Papua New Guinea, and other countries. The fleet of Ka-32 helicopters in South Korea exceeds 60 – they are top scorers in the Forestry Service (firefighting) and the Coast Guard.
A service centre will open in Qindao within the framework of the joint Sino-Russian Helicopter Service Company Ltd. enterprise to service and maintain Russian rotorcraft and offer aftersale service to newly-delivered Russian rotorcraft in China. The centre will offer a number of maintenance and repair services.
The creation of a service centre in China – a traditional market for Russian Helicopters – is an important step in the change of strategy from selling just the helicopter itself to selling the entire lifecycle of a helicopter including aftersale service and modern training means.
The existing MRO infrastructure matches the sales geography of Russian Helicopters. An Indian centre is currently in the works as a joint venture named Integrated Helicopter Services Pvt. Ltd. A service centre is online in Vietnam. Several service centres and companies are under certification in Europe to create an integrated logistics support system in the region. The service network covers almost all CIS countries. Support facilities will open in South-East Asia, Latin America, and Central and Southern Africa.
Russian Helicopters, JSC is an affiliated company of UIC Oboronprom. It is the managing body of the following helicopter industry enterprises: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, Kamov, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Kazan Helicopters, Rostvertol, Arsenyev Aviation Company, Progress named after N.I. Sazykin, Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, Vpered Moscow Machine-Building Plant, Stupino Machine Production Plant, Reductor-PM, Novosibirsk Aircraft Repairing Plant, and Helicopter Service Company.
Partners of Russian Helicopters: AirTaxi Service (interior completions and maintenance); R.E.T. Kronshtadt (sea and aviation training systems, military navigation and avionics); Tranzas (software, navigation systems, aviation simulators for sea and river fleets); CSTC Dinamika (development, manufacture, and aftersale service of the full scope of technical training means for military and civil aviation flight and engineering personnel); BETA AIR (testing equipment and aviation electronics); Ural Works of Civil Aviation (specialises in the repair of helicopter engines and components and reductors).
UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. A part of State Corporation Rostekhnologii. Its main tasks include helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters managing company) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).
