Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, and Jiangsu Baoli Aviation Equipment Co, Ltd (China) agreed on a sale of 3 helicopters at Airshow China-2016.  The agreement was signed by Russian Helicopters Deputy CEO for marketing and business Development Alexander Shcherbinin and the CEO of Jiangsu Baoli Aviation Equipment Co., Ltd. Zhou Dehong.

According to the agreement, Jiangsu Baoli will receive one light helicopter Ansat in medevac configuration, one MI-171 and one Ka-32 next year with an option for purchase two more helicopters in 2018.

“China is interested in receiving high-quality civilian helicopters.  Russian-made helicopters have great potential in the civilian market because of their unique design features and advanced flight characteristics.  Our Chinese partners can attest to that after having operated Russian helicopters for many years.  I am confident that our delivery to Jiangsu Baoli Aviation Equipment Co., Ltd, which for the first time includes an exported Ansat, will contribute to renewal and strengthening of China’s helicopter fleet,”- said Russian Helicopters Deputy CEO Alexander Shcherbinin at the ceremony.

Russian Helicopters has already established a partnership with Jiangsu Baoli Aviation Equipment Investment Co., Ltd. In 2015, a contract was signed to supply four Ka-32s from Russia.  The first batch of helicopters will be transferred before the end of 2016 and the deliveries will be completed in mid-2017.  These helicopters will be used by Chinese companies for firefighting, which includes urban areas with limited access to high-rise buildings.  Ka-32s can also work well in the mountainous and forested areas and can land on unprepared sites.

Outside of China, Ka-32s of various modifications are operated in Spain, Portugal, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and other countries.

China also operates more than 350 Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters, which is more than other Russian-made model for the country.  Chinese Mi-17s were used in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in Sichuan Province in 2008 and 2013. In 2014, Russian Helicopters sent an additional batch of Mi-171E helicopters to China in the amount of 52 units.