Russian Helicopters to be part of DefExpo

Rostec State Corporation’s Russian Helicopters will be part of the four-day DefExpo to be held in Goa from March 28.

“We intend to strengthen our market position in South Asia, increasing sales of serial production and offering comprehensive after-sales service of helicopters. India currently operates more than 400 Russian-made helicopters and plans to expand its fleet,” said Alexander Mikheyev, General Director of Russian Helicopters.

The product line of the holding Russian Helicopters on DefExpo India 2016 will present multipurpose helicopters — medium transport Mi-38 and the light utility Ka-226T, he added.

“Fitted with trademark Kamov coaxial rotors, the manoeuvrable, compact Ka-226T is designed to perform transport and special missions in any weather, at any time of the day,” Mikheyev said.

Due to the absence of a tail rotor, the helicopter is safe for use on small pads and in complex terrain. Ka-226T can be used as health, police, search and rescue, passenger and transport helicopter, he added.

Russia and India have already begun the implementation of the helicopter project cooperation agreement signed in December 2015, which provides for the joint production of at least 200 units of the Ka-226T.

He said Ka-226T will be showcased in a medical version to the visitors at the DefExpo. In this version, the chopper is equipped with a stretcher to transport the injured, oxygen cylinders and the necessary medical equipment for providing first aid to the victims. For medical personnel, there are folding seats in the cabin of Ka-226T.

assembled from Russian components. Compared to other similar helicopters in its class, Mi-38 is faster, with a weight-lift and passenger capacity. The machine can be operated in any time of day, in difficult climatic and weather conditions," Mikheyev said.

"Mi-38 helicopter can be used for cargo or passenger transportation (also in a VIP version), as well as a flying hospital and helicopter for offshore operations. In December 2015 the Mi-38 received complete certification and is ready to enter the market," Mikheyev said.

The official said India is known as a major buyer and operator of military helicopters produced in Russia, but the country is also interested in the acquisition of civilian-use machines.

"At DefExpo India 2016 'Russian Helicopters' will hold talks with the leading aircraft company in India - Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Pawan Hans Limited - a state transport companies, which operates helicopters Mi-172 and other organisations. For Pawan Hans Limited, Russian Helicopters planned to hold the presentation of the Mi-38 and Mi-171A2," he said.