Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Dec 26, 2012 The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India saw Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Russian Technologies State Corporation, and Elcom Systems set up in India, a modern industrial facility for manufacturing of Russian helicopter models of the Ka- and Mi- brands. The joint venture will have the capacity to produce key helicopter units and carry out final assembly of the machines as well as engage in ground and flight testing. It is expected that the enterprise will start with production of components for the multirole Ka-226T helicopter. The enterprise will serve as an industrial base for hi-tech Russian rotorcraft products in India, we are informed. "India is a traditional partner of Russian Helicopters in terms of helicopter deliveries. The creation of a joint Russian-Indian enterprise marks a new stage and also a logical continuation of our joint efforts in light of the growing demand for Russian helicopter ...

Neelam Mathews Dec 19, 2012 Russian Helicopters has delivered another consignment of Mi-17B-5 helicopters to India as part of a contract signed by Rosoboronexport and India's Ministry of Defense in 2008. The final delivery is scheduled for 2013. The Mi-17B-5 has been built to the requirements of the Indian Ministry of Defense. Th e helicopters are equipped with new VK-2500 engines that have an electronic control system and deliver enhanced power performance, important in hot climates and at high altitudes. "Should one engine fail, the reserve power provided by the second engine ensures safe operation through to landing. The on-board systems allow the helicopter to operate day and night in all weather conditions. A new navigation system has been developed for this version of the Mi-17B-5 that shows all of the piloting and navigation information on four multifunctional display screens, significantly reducing the crew's workload," says a spokesman. The medium mult...

Neelam Mathews Dec 12, 2012 M il Moscow Helicopter Plant, designer and developer of helicopters including the Mi-8, Mi-24 and Mi-26 models, has turned 65.. Known today as Russian Helicopters company, the Mil helicopter brand includes the Mi-8/17 series, with more than 12,000 produced over 50 years; the Mi-35M, the only military transport helicopter in its class; the Mi-26(T), the world’s heaviest-lift transport helicopter with a 20-tonne lift capacity; and the new Mi-28NE Night Hunter, which boasts unique manoeuvrability and can fly military missions around the clock in all weather conditions. Priority areas for Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant include the planned Mi-38, the Mi-171A2 and advanced high-speed helicopters. The Russian Advanced Commercial Helicopter (RACHEL), the medium advanced high-speed helicopter project was presented to the global commercial market at the Farnborough International Airshow. Attention is also being devoted to the study and use of composi...

Neelam Mathews  Nov 27, 2012 Russian Helicopters, part of state defense holding Oboronprom has made its first civil medium multirole Mi-171 helicopter delivery to Indonesia. One of the largest mining companies acquired this certificated Mi-171 built by the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.T he Mi-171 is an updated version of the renowned Mi-8. The new medium multirole Mi-171 can be deployed in various climates and temperature ranges - an important competitive advantage that was a deciding factor in the choice of an advanced Russian helicopter for use in Indonesia. Mi-171 series helicopters can be used to carry passengers and cargo, for geological surveying and patrol missions, and for fire-fighting and transfers to offshore drilling platforms. The Asia-Pacific region is a major driver of growth for helicopters. Of the 1,200 registered Russian-built helicopters operating in the region, more than 700 are from the Mi-8/17 series and almost 20 of this type for the military use in I...

DH- Nov 2012 While India has acknowledged it needs to move rapidly to replace its elderly service helicopter fleets, government red tape and protests by losing bidders are holding up acquisition efforts, reports  Neelam Mathews. India’s plans for modernising its military aviation capabilities, including big-ticket deals such as the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft requirement for 126 jets, also have a substantial rotarywing component, with the objective being to induct more than 900 helicopters within the next decade. Demand for civil and military rotorcraft in India is projected to increase by an average of 6% annually, with a number of separate purchases being planned by the military, which recognises that acquisition needs to be done at a fast pace to replace a rapidly ageing fleet. The purchase of an RSH has been deferred by the Indian government, much to the fru...

Neelam Mathews Oct 15, 2012  Yes, we have a defense minister who has done all he can humanly possible to keep his image clean. But in the process, we fear, he has sacrificed making decisions that are said to be important to the nation's security.  The question is where does one draw the line? It is, unfortunately, this very admirable quality that is being exploited by self serving companies who find themselves having lost the competition they were bidding, to stall projects. To add to a list of hundreds, is a recent letter, Aerospace Diary learns, that has been sent to the Defense Minister from Anonymous'! Convenient. The anonymous ten-pager cites "gross infirmities in the trials of the army's light utility helicopter- a bid released for the second time, for which trials were completed in 2010!  Anonymous mentions non-certification of both the helicopters by international certification agencies at time of submission of bids and says the "doctored" GSQ...

Neelam Mathews Oct 11, 2012 Aerospace Diary is hearing about talks between India’s Sun Group and Russian Helicopters for Ka-31 which Russian Helicopters says, is “the only mass-produced airborne early warning helicopter on the market.” We could not confirm whether the partnership is for potential manufacture for a possible pilot project to be floated exclusively for private Indian companies or as offsets for a possible potential order for 10 AEWs required for the delayed aircraft carrier Gorshkov , now known as Vikramaditya. Interestingly, we learn Shiv Vikram  Khemka, deputy chairman of the Board of Directors and founder of SUN Group, is an independent non-executive director on the Board of Russian Helicopters. Khemka has over  20 years experience doing business and investing in Russia, Latin America  and India. He has lived and worked in Moscow since 1990 managing the business of SUN Group. Khemka does not own any shares in Russian Helic...