Russian distributor for Turbomeca

Turbomeca Germany, the German division of French powerplant specialist Turbomeca (a Groupe Safran subsidiary), and TechnoTrade of Russia signed a distribution agreement on the first day of MAKS 2013. In what is Turbomeca’s first such deal with a Russian company, the parties will open a parts depot in Moscow to support the French-built helicopter engines operated in the country.

Philippe Couteaux, Turbomeca Vice President and General Manager, Airframers says, TechnoTrade has thus become the company’s first official distributor in Russia. Turbomeca-powered helicopters are currently in service with a number of Russian government agencies and commercial operators, including the Interioк and Emergencies ministries, UTair Aviation, and Gazpromavia.

"Turbomeca’s global strategy has four prongs; the primary one is to be as close as possible to our customers, this is why a distribution center [in Russia] is so important to us," says Couteaux. He adds that the TechnoTrade contract fits in well with Turbomeca’s plan to expand and improve every aspect of its cooperation with Russia. According to Couteaux, at present there are upwards of 100 Turbomeca engines operating on Western-made helicopters in Russia. The French company is also working closely with Russian Helicopters on the Kamov Ka-226T and Ka-62 rotorcraft programs.

Turbomeca’s three other strategic prongs are flight safety, reliability of products and services, as well as innovative development of new powerplant designs.