Kazan Helicopters, a Russian Helicopters company (a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec), has produced the 7,500th Mi-8/17 series helicopter. The military transport Mi-8MTV-5 helicopter will be handed over under contract to the Russian Air Force.

Mi-8/17 series helicopters are the Russian helicopter industry’s bestsellers thanks to their wide-ranging applications and high flight characteristics. To date over 12,000 have been produced and supplied to customers in over 100 countries around the world. Today, Kazan Helicopters series produces them in three main configurations:

Mi-8MTV-1 (export variant – Mi-171V) – a multirole configuration used as the basis for various types of helicopter, including a flying hospital;

Mi-8MTV-5 (export variant – Mi-17V-5) – a military transport configuration (the helicopter is designed to carry cargo inside the cabin and on an external sling, and can also be used in search and rescue operations and to carry arms);

Mi-172 – passenger configuration (also produced in a special VIP configuration).

Mi-8/17 helicopters have often been used in complex and critical construction projects, and in preparations for major events. The Mi-8MTV helped ensure security at the XXII Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014, and at the XXVII International Summer Universiade in Kazan in 2013. These helicopters can be relied on to operate in any conditions. The Mi-8MTV was rated highly by the Russian Republic of Tatarstan’s Civil Defence and Emergency Situations Ministry for its role in fire-fighting in 2010 and in dousing the recent blaze at the high profile Novaya Tura Technopolis development project.

Experts are confident that, given ongoing modifications, the Mi-8/17 series can retain its leading position in its segment for another 15-20 years. The Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, which developed the helicopter, and Kazan Helicopters (both Russian Helicopter companies) are working to upgrade and modernise Mi-8/17 series helicopters. A step-by-step upgrade programme for the Mi-17V-5 is in place, as is the development of very promising helicopters – the new Mi-171A2.

The Mi-8/17’s history encompasses over 50 years of success. In May 1960, the Mil Design Bureau started developing a multirole helicopter capable of replacing the much-admired Mi-4 multirole helicopter. In 1965, just five years later, series production of the Mi-8 was launched at Kazan Helicopters. In June 1965 the helicopter caused a sensation at the Le Bourget international air show.

After the Mi-8 went into series production, work to create its numerous configurations began: airborne command post, communications and anti-infantry and anti-tank minelayer, tank refuelling and repair, flying laboratory, as well as its medical, agricultural, search and rescue, crane, and passenger configurations.

By 1969 the Mi-8 had fully replaced the Mi-4 on the Kazan Helicopters production line. Production volume increased each year. From 1965-1996, Kazan Helicopters built around 4,500 Mi-8s in different configurations. Demand for the Mi-8 was so great that in 1970, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant also started producing them. In the 1980s, the Mi-8 was modernised – becoming the Mi-8MT, export variant Mi-17, and became the basis for all subsequent upgrades (Mi-8MTV, Mi-8AMT and so on). Recently Kazan Helicopters celebrated the anniversary of the Mi-17 series, marking the delivery of the 3,500th helicopter for export – the Mi-17V-5 – which was delivered to one of our major customers – India’s Armed Forces.

Kazan Helicopters produces Mi-8/17 series helicopters that are operated in over 100 countries worldwide. A wide range of configurations are produced: transport, passenger, search and rescue, landing and transport, among many others. Preparations are underway to launch production of the Mi-38 passenger transport helicopter. Since 1997, Kazan Helicopters has been certified to develop helicopter technology: today the light twin-engine Ansat helicopter is in series production.

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of State Corporation Rostec. 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 2013 its IFRS revenues increased 10% to RUB 138.3 billion. Deliveries reached 275 helicopters.

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

Rostekhnologii State Corporation (Rostec) is a Russian corporation established in 2007 in order to facilitate the development, manufacturing and export of high-technology industrial products of military and civil purposes. Today it comprises over 663 companies, which form 8 military-industrial and 5 civil industry holdings. Rostec’s subsidiaries are located in 60 regions of Russia and supply their products to over 70 countries worldwide. In 2012 revenues of the Corporation amounted to RUB 931 billion, net profits were RUB 38.5 billion and total taxation exceeded RUB 109 billion.