Light and medium class rotorcraft of Russian make, namely the Mi-34C1, Ansat, Ka-226T, Ka-32A11BC, Mi-171A2, and Mi-38, may become the best options for forming the rescue and firefighting aviation in the Middle East and North Africa. Representatives of Russian Helicopters, an industrial holding company of the Russian rotorcraft industry and a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom have stated the above at the Open Seminar “Russian Helicopters for the Middle East and Africa”, held at Dubai Airshow-2011 this week in Dubai, UAE.

Rotorcraft of Russian make have traditionally enjoyed good demand on the Middle East and African markets, together represented by over 600 helicopters of various mission and class. All rotorcraft are built with local climate and terrain in mind, resulting in maximum efficiency in hot weather and high-altitude mountain airfields.

The light Mi-34C1, Ka-226T, Ansat, the firefighting Ka-32A11BC, the modernised version of the Mi-17 in the form of the multi-role Mi-171A2, as well as the newest passenger and cargo Mi-38 have great operational capabilities and are ready to tackle rescue, medevac, and transport missions. These helicopters are indispensable in firefighting, especially in high-rise urban conditions when the use of water cannon systems is advisable.

The new light single-engine Mi-34C1 can be used for carrying passengers and light loads, as well as fire reconnaissance, monitoring of all sorts, including eco-monitoring. Advanced manoeuvrability and strength of the Mi-34C1 airframe ensure top-level flight safety. Certification of the Mi-34C1 is scheduled for end-2011, and mass production will start early on in 2012.

Where others give up, the firefighting Ka-32A11BC comes to the rescue. This machine can be fitted with a Simplex firefighting system, as well as a horizontal water cannon and the VSU-5 water-dumping system, mounted externally.

The Ka-32А11ВС is a very powerful and easy to handle rotorcraft thanks to its coaxial rotor layout and a lack of tail rotor, as well as a shorter tail boom lacking the unnecessary rotor. The shorter tail boom lets the helicopter manoeuvre in the midst of fire and in unstable atmosphere. The helicopter can perform missions in heavy smoke, dust, and putting out oil tanker fires, as well as other tanks and rigs in the oil and gas industry, chemical, high-rise buildings.

Whenever a second is too much to waste, the new light Ka-226T and Ansat in medevac configuration will aid the injured and immediately evacuate the injured. The helicopters are equipped with modern medical modeules that greatly broaden their scope for future medevac and search & rescue operations. Medevac services are offering this new helicopter, while some companies are interested in pushing forward their life insurance packages for the use of medevac rotorcraft.

Apart from that Russian Helicopters have showcased the new Mi-172A2 model and programme at the Open Seminar. This rotorcraft is being developed by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, based on the Mi-171A1 model. The new helicopter will have a new updated power train, a new rotor system and transmission, and a modernised avionics suite, as well as better performance, economics, and operation characteristics. The helicopter will also benefit from a new maintenance system. R&D should take no more than 2013, and the new helicopter should be available by then. According to the preliminary schedule, mass production of the Mi-171A2 will start at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in 2014.

Mi-38, the new cargo and passenger leviathan, was also presented with much pride, since it is a new generation helicopter that offers the highest levels of safety and comfort in its class. The Mi-38 can be equipped with Russian TV7-117V engines or those made by Pratt&Whitney Canada. Certification of the Mi-38 is slotted for 2014.