Home 2006 News Russian Helicopter Manufacturer Eyes Chinese Market

Russian helicopter manufacturer Rostvertol Plc revealed during the 2006 Farnborough International Air Show (17 July~23 July) that it is establishing a joint venture with Lectern Aviation Supplies in Hong Kong to promote its Mi-26T heavy-lift helicopter to the Chinese market. The new company known as Rostvertol Helicopters China will be based in Hong Kong and its main task is to promote the Mi-26T helicopter to potential Chinese customers.

According to Rostvertol Plc, the registration process of the new company will be finalised before the opening of the 2006 Zhuhai International Air Show schedule in October 2006. Rostvertol had already conducted several presentations in China and representatives from Chinese companies had also visited Rostvertol’s plant in Rostov-on-Don.

The Mi-26 is the world’s heaviest and most powerful helicopter designed to carry large-size cargo weighting up to 20,000kg. The Mi-26T is the latest version with improved performance (Rostvertol photo)

The heavy-lift helicopter market in China has been so far overlooked by Western helicopter manufacturers. According to the estimation of Wall Street Journal, the Chinese aviation market will number about 10,000 helicopters by 2020, 3~5% of which will be heavy-lift helicopters. Rostvertol is aiming to occupy this niche market by setting a foot in China.

Rostvertol revealed that it had already signed a three-year contract with Chinese state-owned Flying Dragon Aviation based in Harbin to lease one Mi-26T fire-fighting version. This may be followed by an additional two helicopters in the near future.

The Mi-26 (NATO codename: Halo) was developed in the late 1970s as a successor to the Mil Mi-6 (NATO codename: Hook) heavy-lift helicopter. The Mi-26 entered service with the Soviet military in 1983. The world’s heaviest and most powerful helicopter, the Mi-26 was designed to carry large-size cargo weighting up to 20,000kg. Its load and lift capabilities are comparable to the U.S. C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

Rostvertol Plc is one of Russia’s major helicopter manufacturers. Its products include Mi-26 series heavy-lift helicopter, the Mi-24 (Mi-35) attack-transport helicopter, and the latest Mi-28 attack helicopter. Another Russian helicopter manufacturer Kazan Helicopter Plant JSC has already sold over 100 Mi-17 series (NATO codename: Hip) military transport helicopters to China.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) operates three ageing Mi-6 Hook heavy-lift helicopters in its Army Aviation Corps. The Mi-26 would provide an ideal successor to these helicopters. A single Mi-26 helicopter could carry an armoured combat vehicle or up to 80 armed soldiers. The helicopter has demonstrated excellent performance in many UN disaster relief and peace keeping missions around the world.

The Mi-26 helicopter could carry an armoured combat vehicle or up to 80 armed soldiers in its cargo compartment (Rostvertol photo)

24 July 2006