LANGKAWI: Russian Helicopters Holding Company, a part of Rostec State Corporation, is holding negotiations for the delivery of up to eight rotorcraft units of three types to Malaysian customers.
Contract details are to be specified during this year’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition 2019 (Lima’19), said Russian Helicopters deputy general-director Igor Chechikov.
“Malaysian operators made requests to purchase up to eight Ansat, Mi-8/17 and Ka-32A11BC helicopters,” he said.
“We are currently providing consultations to customers to clarify technical configurations of the helicopters planned for delivery, as well as other organisational matters”, he said.
The inquiries from Malaysian customers were partly a result of the South Asian Heli Tour organised by Russian Helicopters in November and December last year.
A Mi-171А2 and an Ansat gave demonstrations in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.
Rostec international cooperation and regional policy director Viktor Kladov said Southeast Asia was one of the strategically important regions for the state corporation.
“We see numerous opportunities for increasing the export volume of civil rotorcraft.
“After the recent South Asian Heli Tour we have concluded firm and soft contracts for the delivery of 70 civil helicopters.
“We are negotiating terms and delivery dates with the potential customers,” he said.
Ansat is a light twin-engine utility helicopter produced by Kazan Helicopters. The design makes it possible to carry out a quick conversion from a cargo to a passenger version capable of transporting up to seven people.
There is also an emergency medical services version and for operation in ambient air temperatures and had recently completed a series of tests confirming its capability to operate in high-altitude conditions of up to 3,500m.
The Мi-8/17 helicopters and their various versions are among the most well-known and commercially popular rotorcraft in the world. Variants of the helicopter are in use in Malaysia by, among others, the Fire and Rescue Department.
The newest modifications are certified for operation in high-altitude conditions, adverse climates and a broad temperature range.
Mi-17 helicopters are designed for a wide range of missions, including patrolling, coastal guard services, EMS, and search and rescue operations.
Civil all-weather helicopter Ка-32А11ВС, with a coaxial rotor scheme, was developed by Kamov Design Bureau.
The coaxial rotor scheme provides the helicopter with several critical stabilistion and maneuverability improvements, especially for fire extinguishing missions.