Russian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec) will showcase its latest light multirole helicopters – the Ka-226T and the Ansat – at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition ABACE 2015, which runs from 14 to 16 April at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, China. Russian Helicopters’ display can be found at Stand H437.

“We see excellent prospects for promoting our light helicopters in China now that low altitude airspace has been opened up for civil aviation,” said Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev. “I am confident that, thanks to their high flight capabilities and ease of use, our helicopters will generate significant interest among our partners in Asia.”

The light twin-engine multirole helicopter with coaxial main rotor Ka-226T has significant advantages in flights in mountainous and heavily built up urban areas. The helicopter boasts outstanding manoeuvrability and the latest avionics suite. The lack of a tail rotor and its compact size mean that the Ka-226T can land at small sites, it can also operate in temperatures ranging from -50°С to +50°С. The Ka-226T does not need to be stored in a hangar, which significantly expands its operational range away from base. The helicopter is designed for commercial operation and operation by law enforcement agencies.

The Ansat light helicopter can be used for cargo and passenger transport, in surveillance, search and rescue, fire-fighting and medevac operations. It can fly in all weathers. Its key advantages are its ease of use and reliability.

During ABACE 2015, Russian Helicopters’ specialists will hold a series of working meetings with their regional partners to discuss the prospects for developing a maintenance and after-sales service system, and the sale of serially produced helicopters, in China. For example, the Ka-32A11BC is certified in China and is in great demand. Russian Helicopters have already supplied commercial and state agencies in China with nine of these helicopters.

Russian Helicopters specialists will also present information on the latest developments in the helicopter industry within Russia: the highly automated commercial Mi-38, which also has impressive export potential on the Chinese business aviation market.

Russian Helicopters is actively developing its after sales service and maintenance provision for Russian-made helicopters in this region. Particular emphasis is placed on developing maintenance and repair centres that can offer first-class full-life-cycle services to Russian-made commercial and military helicopters across China.

In October 2014, as part of the official visit to Russia by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, international agreements were signed on cooperation between aviation authorities in Russia and China. These documents were signed by representatives of the Interstate Aviation Committee, the Russian Transport Ministry, and China’s Civil Aviation Administration. These new principles of cooperation should reduce the costs and the administrative burden involved in importing and exporting aircraft, and also deepen cooperation in aircraft design, production and operation, benefitting both states.

There is sustained demand for popular Russian Mi-8/17 and heavy Mi-26TS helicopters in China. Medium multirole Mi-8/17 helicopters have long been operated successfully in China, where they are used for a wide range of functions: they are irreplaceable in cargo and passenger transport, geological surveys, carrying out patrols and fighting fires. In June 2014, Russian Helicopters concluded the delivery of 52 Mi-171E helicopters to China’s Poly Technologies. The contract was concluded under Rosoboronexport in 2012. Mi-171E helicopters are designed for use in regions with complex terrains and harsh climates, and are equipped with VK-2500 engines. Mi-26TS helicopters are the Chinese certified version of the series produced heavy Mi-26T helicopter, and boast unique flight capabilities. The helicopter can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo on an external sling or in the cabin. Commercial companies in China operate three of these helicopters. Mi-8/17 and Mi-26TS helicopters were used in clear-up operations that followed the earthquakes in China’s Sichuan province in 2008 and 2013. China’s Navy has also operated ship-based Russian made Ka-28 and Ka-31 helicopters.

Russian Helicopters views the Chinese market as one of the most promising in terms of helicopter sales to the business aviation market and in the provision of maintenance services. Russian Helicopters is ready and willing to satisfy Chinese operators’ demand for the latest, reliable helicopters.

Russian Helicopters, (part of State Corporation Rostec), is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters was founded in 2007 and 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. In 2013 its IFRS revenues increased 10% to RUB 138.3 billion. Deliveries reached 275 helicopters.

State Corporation Rostec is a Russian corporation founded in 2007 for the purpose of promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech civilian and military industry products. It comprises 700 organisations, nine of which have now been formed as holding companies of the military-industrial complex, five of them are involved in civil industries and 22 are directly controlled. Rostec’s portfolio includes recognised brands such as Avtovaz, Kamaz, Russian Helicopters, and VSMPO-AVISMA. Rostec’s organisations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply their products to the markets of more than 70 countries. The revenue of Rostec in 2013 amounted to RUB 1.04 trillion. The tax deductions into the treasuries at all levels exceeded RUB 138 billion.