Russia introduces new helicopters to Indian aviation market

Russian Helicopters, the subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation Oboronprom, presented its lineup at the 8th International Exhibition on Aerospace, Defence & Civil Aviation Aero India 2011 – the premier air show in the region.

The exposition at Stand A 26 showcased the light multi-role Ka-226T, medium civil Mi-17 helicopters, the all-weather Ka-32A11BC, heavy Mi-26T2, and the Mi-28NE – the export variation of the cutting-edge Mi-28N Night Hunter attack helicopter that is in service with the Russian Army.

Several contracts were signed with Indian civil helicopter operators in 2010, for the delivery of 4 Mi-172 and 2 Ka-32A11BC helicopters. They will be delivered in 2011-2012. The Mi-172 is already certificated in India. The Ka-32A11BC also recently received certification in December 2010.  It was certificated by EASA in 2009.

The multi-role Ка-32А11ВС will make its debut in the region. The machines on display at the Air Show are being acquired by Global Vectra Helicorp. The company is planning to use them for cargo transportation and construction work in the civil segment. The first Ka-32A11BC is scheduled for delivery to India in 2011, and the second in 2012.

As of today, Russian Helicopters is the only official supplier of Russian civil helicopters to India; military helicopters are supplied by FSUE Rosoboronexport. The Russian Ka-226T, Mi-26T2, Mi-28NE are bidding in Indian tenders for helicopters.

Russian Helicopters is the specialised company that has consolidated all Russian helicopter industry enterprises into a single market structure. The holding company retains the legacy of Kamov and Mil design bureaus, and offers helicopters in all segments: light, medium, and heavy.

Russian rotorcraft are currently operated in more than 100 countries worldwide. Russian Helicopters offers its Indian partners a diversified Russian rotorcraft lineup capable of performing any missions, from passenger transportation and commercial operations to special operations in natural disaster areas. These helicopters can be employed in corporate, passenger, cargo, search & rescue, construction, patrol, and firefighting missions.

Russian Helicopters is creating a global support network based on certified MROs and joint service enterprises. This is aimed at supporting Russian rotorcraft throughout their entire lifecycle, from delivery to scrapping. New MROs are being opened and existing ones are being certified globally in line with this initiative.

On 7 February 2011, just before Aero India 2011 kicked off, an opening ceremony was held for the joint MRO centre of the Russian-Indian venture Integrated Helicopter Services Private Ltd. The centre will perform technical support, including preparations and pre-flight work, afterflight preparation; scheduled maintenance within the cycles (flight hours, landings, etc.) prescribed by the operations manual; carry out running repairs of Mi helicopters.

Source: Russian Helicopters