Russian Helicopters eyes Latin America
Russian Helicopters is to offer after-sales service and maintenance for helicopters operated in Latin America and the Caribbean under a new modernisation programme that will expand operational capabilities for the user, the company announced on 2 November.
Currently more than 400 Russian-built helicopters are operated in the Latin America and Caribbean region. This includes 320 units of Mi-8/17 helicopters, and 60 Soviet and Russian-made helicopters on Cuba, of which around 50 are Mi-8/17s.
The modernisation programme for Mi-8/17/171 helicopters will increase their operational capabilities. It will offer new engines, digital avionics, electro-optical protection systems against SAMs and MANPADS, and modernised rotor system and gears. The company will offer new digital avionics systems and additional equipment to the commercial helicopters to enable them to be used in passenger transport, and search and rescue operations.
Aftersales service provision for the helicopters will be based on production capacity at the Yu. A. Gagarin Aircraft Repair Plant in Cuba. The company is in talks with its counterparts in Cuba for formulating the proposal for retooling the plant and authorising it to carry out aftersales service and maintenance.
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