Breaking into new market segments

Over the past several months, the Russian Helicopters holding has taken several important steps to break into the market segments for light and medium rotorcraft; these niches have remained historically  underserved by Russian helicopter manufacturers. The company also identified the initial parameters of a future heavy-lift aircraft to eventually replace the best-selling Mil Mi-8/17 family.

In early September this year, Russian Helicopter landed its first civilian contract for the Kamov Ka-226T light helicopter. The 3,600-kg MTOW version differs from the Ka-226 baseline in the more powerful Turbomeca Arrius 2G1 engines. The Ka-226T was originally developed as Russia’s bid in the Indian defense ministry’s tender for 197 light helicopters. The Russian defense and emergencies ministries, as well as the Russian Federal Security Service have also been named among potential customers for this model.

Although the contract for the 18 Ka-226TG helicopters was formally placed by NefteGazAeroCosmos research and production centre, in reality the first commercial examples of the aircraft will be delivered to Gazpromavia, one of the largest rotorcraft operators in Russia. The first six airframes are to be delivered in 2013, with the remaining 12 to follow in 2014. Gazpromavia will use the helicopters for pipeline patrols, repair operations, personnel and corporate transportation in the interest of its parent company – Gazprom gas monopolist.