As part of the Global Helicopter Firefighting Initiative (GHFI), Russian Helicopters (a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of the State Corporation Rostec) is a sponsor of the Aerial Firefighting Conference now underway in France (April 10-11).

Fighting wildfires is a very critical issue in a number of European countries during the summer months. The Aerial Firefighting Conference is being held for the tenth time and it attracts industry specialists and developers of firefighting equipment for aerial quenching extinguishing fr om practically all corners of the world.
Russian Helicopters is paying considerable attention to the development of helicopter models for fighting fires and has already achieved noteworthy success: the Ka-32A11BC has been recognized worldwide as one of the most successful firefighting machines. Its coaxial rotor system allows the Ka-32A11BC to perform precise manoeuvres in both cramped cityscapes and mountainous terrain and provides the helicopter with a high level of stability when hovering or flying in unstable atmospheric conditions. This design also allows the helicopter to use unequipped land sites of lim ited dimensions.

A special demonstration of the capabilities of the Ka-32A11BC is planned for participants of the conference. The helicopter belongs to the Spanish operator INAER, which specializes in emergency aid, firefighting and disaster response.

The firefighting version of the Ka-32A11BC is capable of extinguishing fires via a Bambi Bucket or water cannon. The Ka-32A11BC complies with AP-29 airworthiness requirements and was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2009. The helicopter is also certified in Canada, China, India, Brazil and a number of other countries. In December 2012 the helicopter received a certificate of airworthiness from Australia.

In 2013 the Ka-32A11BC was selected as the symbol of the Global Firefighting Initiative, which is aimed at improving the effectiveness of the use of specialized firefighting helicopters. Russian Helicopters announced the launch of this program at the Avalon 2013 show in Australia in February. All enterprises engaged in the production of firefighting systems and firefighting equipment for helicopters and associated innovative technologies for improving helicopter firefighting systems are invited to participate in GHFI.

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of Russian Technologies 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 2012 its IFRS revenues increased 21% to RUB 125,7billion. Deliveries reached 290 helicopters.

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

Rostec was established in 2007 to support Russian industry in developing, producing and exporting high-tech industrial products for civil and military use. It includes 663 companies, currently organised into 12 defence holdings and five holdings for civil industries. Rostec has a presence in 60 of Russia’s regions, and exports its products to 70 countries. Rostec companies employ more than 900,000 people, or about 2% of Russia’s workforce. The company had net profit of RUB 45.6 billion in 2011, and paid RUB 100 billion into budgets of all levels.

INAER is the global leading provider of aerial emergency services and aircraft maintenance for mission critical operations such as medical emergency, civil protection, sea and mountain search & rescue, coast and fishing surveillance, firefighting, training and aircraft maintenance. INAER operates in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom, Chile and Peru and has a fleet of more than 300 aircraft and 2,200 employees.