Russian Helicopters looks abroad for a new Mi-34 engine

Russian Helicopters says it may reopen the program to re-engine the Mil Mi-34 light helicopter, this time with a foreign-designed powerplant. The effort to develop the Mi-34S1, was suspended in 2012, after the company's failed attempt to secure production of the M9FV piston engine at Voronezh Mechanical Plant. The Mi-34's original M14V26V powerplant is considered to be obsolete.

Roman Chernyshev, deputy general director for programs and projects at Russian Helicopters, says the company is currently in talks with a foreign piston engine manufacturer. Talks are also on with an investor over a launch order for the Mi-34S1. Final agreements may be announced this summer.

Chernyshev says the idea to use the Turbomeca Arrius 2F gas-turbine engine has been scrapped following last year's announcement that Russian Helicopters would be developing a 2.5-ton light single helicopter jointly with AgustaWestland. According to Chernyshev, Russian Helicopter expects the new design, whose development timeframe has not been defined yet, to go into production at the HeliVert JV in Tomilino outside Moscow. This helicopters is expected to be certified in 2016.