Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, has launched the Global Helicopter Firefighting Initiative (GHFI) to increase the use of fire-fighting helicopters specially equipped with the suspended fire-fighting systems (Bambi Buckets), water cannons and other fire-fighting equipment.

he GHFI will involve makers of fire-fighting systems and equipment for helicopters producing innovative technologies to qualitatively improve helicopter-based firefighting systems. Russian Helicopters plans to involve its own design bureaus in the search for new engineering solutions in the field.

One member in the GHFI will be the Russian-built Ka-32A11BC helicopter, which can be equipped with various fire-fighting systems. The helicopter is already popular in more than 30 countries, with 188 machines operating successfully in Russia, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, China, Bulgaria, Austria, South Korea, Chile, Indonesia and Japan, among others.

The Ka-32A11BC meets AP-29 standards and was awarded type certification in 2009 by the EASA. In December 2012 the helicopter received its flightworthiness certification in Australia. The Australian aviation regulator’s recognition of the helicopter’s capabilities opens up a new and promising market to Russian Helicopters to supply helicopters to the continent.

Australia has battled fierce fires in 2013. Blazes engulfed Victoria and New South Wales in January, with dozens of homes damaged as well as the renowned Siding Springs observatory, home to Australia’s largest optical telescope. The fires came close to a military base near Sydney that houses a large weapons store.

The Ka-32A11BC can tackle virtually all types of fires both on the ground and in high-rise buildings by deploying a collapsible Bambi Bucket and water cannon. Coaxial rotors make the Ka-32A11BC the only helicopter in its class that can execute difficult manoeuvres with a high degree of accuracy and hover with great stability even in turbulent atmospheric conditions.

Experts say that fires have become a global threat around the world, causing enormous damage to the economies of numerous countries around the world every year. The GHFI programme will implement one of the missions of Russian Helicopters, which is to combat this threat. The KA-32A11BC fire-fighting helicopter can be one of the most effective instruments of this new programme.

Russian Helicopters plans to demonstrate the Ka-32A11BC at the Avalon 2013 show, which will take place in the Australian town of Geelong from 26 February to 3 March.

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of the Rostec State Corporation. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2011 its IFRS revenues increased 27.8% to RUB 103.9 billion. Deliveries reached 262 helicopters.

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

Rostec State Corporation was established in 2007 to support Russian industry in developing, producing and exporting high-tech industrial products for civil and military use. The Corporation includes 663 companies, currently organised into 12 defence holdings and five holdings for civil industries. The Corporation has a presence in 60 of Russia’s regions, and exports its products to 70 countries. Rostec Corporation is headed by Sergei Chemezov. In 2011 the Corporation had net income of RUB 1.55 billion, and paid RUB 100 billion into budgets of all levels.