(This press release follows HeliHub’s first report on this purchase, way back on 3-Sep-2010 – see here)

Moscow, 26th October 2010 – Russian Helicopters rotorcraft-building holding that makes part of the UIC Oboronprom plans to deliver to Russian EMERCOM five Ka-32A11BC helicopters within 2011-12. In accordance with the state contract between Russian EMERCOM and Russian Helicopters, JSC these rotorcraft will be configured to medevac variant also ready for fitting fire-fighting equipment.

Decision to acquire Ка-32А11ВС makes part of the comprehensive joint program “Provisioning EMERCOM Aerial Rescue Team with Rotorcraft” launched by Russian Helicopters, JSC and EMERCOM Aviation Department in November 2009 on basis of Russia’s President instruction No.Pr-543 of 01.04.2008 and Russian Government instruction No.VZ-P4-2080 of 07.04.2008.
Within the frame of this program it is planned to set up an infrastructure of federal auto routes’ integrated security utilizing aviation technologies, an aerial rescue service performing medevac missions in the subjects of the Russian Federation, to establish aerial SAR and medical emergency teams. As per the results of this program’s implementing 62 light and 123 medium rotorcraft will be provisionally acquired for the new helicopters’ group of Russian EMERCOM Aviation Department.

Ка-32А11ВС helicopters while been widely acknowledged as efficient medevac and rescue means play very important role in fighting forest and city fires worldwide. According to the fire-fighting agencies the Ka-32-type helicopters’ successful employment ensured elimination of thousands of forest fires, preservation of agricultural lands and preventing fires in a number of communities in Russia and other countries.

At present over 20 Ка-32А11ВС helicopters delivered by Russian rotorcraft-building enterprises are being operated in Europe (Portugal, Spain and Switzerland). According to the European operators these helicopters are involved in fire-fighting, police, rescue and medevac missions, task forces’ operations and EU borders’ patrolling.

While operating in the fire zone (extreme turbulence conditions) the coaxial rotor of Ka-32A11BC demonstrates a number of crucial advantages. This helicopter’s special equipment sports over 40 various options including Bambi-bucket and Simplex fire-fighting systems of various capacity, water cannons for horizontal fire-extinguishing, foldaway transportation-and-rescue elevation cabins and other hardware.

Ka-32A11BC is designed by Kamov, JSC within the Russian Helicopters holding. The Ka-32A11BC serial production is set up at Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise that also makes part of the holding. By now more than 140 helicopters have been produced with nearly half of them operated in over 30 countries worldwide.

Russian EMERCOM aerial rescue services can fulfill various tasks also utilizing Ansat, Mi-34C1, Ka-226T, Ka-32A, Mi-8/17 helicopters in various configurations. All these rotorcraft along with Mi-38 and upgraded Mi-171Ðœ produced by Russian Helicopters’ enterprises can be spotted at the stand 1С1 of Russian Helicopters, JSC at the XIV International exhibition “INTERPOLITEX – 2010: means of state security provision” held in Moscow from 26 to 29 October, 2010 at the territory of All-Russian Exhibition Center.

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, Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company, Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, Vpered Moscow Machine-Building Plant, Stupino Machine Production Plant, Reductor-PM, Novosibirsk Aircraft Repairing Plant and Helicopter Service Company (VSK).

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); BETA AIR (testing equipment and aviation electronics); Ural Works of Civil Aviation (engines/aggregates/gear boxes repair and overhaul).

UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002, makes part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. Its main tasks include helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters managing company) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).