Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec, has taken over the management of five aircraft repair plants formerly owned by the Defence Ministry. Executive authority at the plants was transferred to Russian Helicopters between October 2013 and March 2014.

Aircraft Repair Plants Number 12 (Khabarovsk), 150 (Svetly, Kaliningrad Region), 356 (Engels, Saratov Region), 419 (St. Petersburg) and 418 (Chita) boast unparalleled experience in technical maintenance and repair services for aircraft, and will significantly strengthen aftersales service for Russian commercial and military helicopters. Managers from the plants met with Russian Helicopters CEO on 21 May.

“The aircraft repair plants that have joined Russian Helicopters will play an important role in strengthening and developing a modern aftersales service offering,” said Russian Helicopters Deputy CEO for Servicing, Yury Borisov. “Boosting service capacity and expanding geographical reach are key conditions effectively fulfil state procurement orders for technical support and maintenance of helicopters.”

Maintaining and servicing the state’s helicopter fleet – a vital component of Russia’s defence capability and security – is a key priority for Russian Helicopters. In October last year a Government directive appointed Russian Helicopters sole executor of the Defence Ministry’s order for works and services related to technical support and maintenance of helicopters produced under the state defence order.

In December 2013, Russian Helicopters signed a contract to service the Defence Ministry’s helicopter fleet through November 2016. In addition, in April 2014 a Russian Government directive appointed Russian Helicopters sole executor of the state procurement order to provide ground support services and monitoring systems to Defence Ministry bodies.

Russian Helicopters plans to roll out a number of priority measures to streamline servicing of state-operated helicopters. These include creating an inventory of components needed to service and repair new helicopter models, establishing systems to maintain helicopter fleet operability at all Air Force and Navy bases, developing and introducing mobile maintenance and service centres, and launching serial production of equipment for ground support services and monitoring, repair and installation of equipment and instrumentation, and testing.

The time helicopters spend undergoing maintenance or repairs at aircraft repair plants will be reduced, and the quality of work will improve. To boost the Armed Forces’ combat readiness, Russian Helicopters will optimise the volume of regular maintenance for Armed Forces’ helicopters and will carry out service and repair work as required by a helicopter’s technical condition rather than at set intervals.

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.