Russian Helicopters for India

Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, delivered the final batch of helicopters to India under a previously signed agreement. India received 151 Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters produced by JSC Kazan Helicopters through Rosoboronexport. Under an agreement between the Russian and Indian governments with regard to cooperation in the helicopter industry, the production of no less than 200 Ka-226T helicopters and its modifications will be organized in India.

Russia and India have commenced a large project aimed to produce no less than 200 Ka-226T light utility multirole helicopters, as RIA Novosti was informed on Thursday by the press office of Russian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec). During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow last December, the Russian and Indian governments signed the agreement on cooperation in the helicopter industry. According to the document, no less than 200 of the Ka-226T helicopters and its modifications will be manufactured in India.

The agreement also includes maintenance, operation, repairs of helicopters and provision of technical support. "Currently, the sides have begun implementing the agreement. Large-scale international deals usually have a lengthy preparation period, with deal details kept confidential. All work is being carried out in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Technical consultations and talks between the Russian and Indian companies involved in the project are already being conducted," said the company's press service.

The press office noted that “there are no contradictions between the partners”. “In the nearest future we will approve technical and organizational details covering all key parameters. The holding specialists are currently assessing production capacity of our Indian partners,” informed the holding company.

According to the agreements, the localization of components “will be very deep: the contract will be implemented in accordance with the 'Make in India' program adopted by the Indian government.”

The light multirole Ka-226T helicopter was designed by Kamov Design Bureau (a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters) and is serially produced at Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise. It has a coaxial main rotor system and is noted for excellent controllability and power-to-weight ratio.

KA-226T is equipped with modern flight control equipment. The helicopter easily maneuvers in dense urban and mountainous areas. Absence of a tail rotor and compact size make it possible to use on small landing pads. Ka-226T boasts low noise level and meets all latest environmental performance requirements. It has a swappable transport module allowing to change the helicopter’s functionality within a short time.

“India is one of the key markets for Russian helicopter building industry and the largest operator of Russian-made helicopters in the South-East Asia. Today, this country uses more than 400 helicopters, which have proved themselves well,” said Russian Helicopter CEO Alexander Mikheev. “We produce high-tech multirole helicopters capable of solving the most difficult tasks anywhere in the world.”

The Mi-17V-5 helicopters supplied to India are some of the best technically equipped helicopters of the Mi-8/17 series and gathered the best solutions of previous generations. Every Indian Mi-17V-5 helicopter is fitted with a KNEI-8 avionics suite. The suite has replaced multiple systems indicators with four large multi-functional that are easy to read and reduce the intensity of pilot’s workload. This avionics suite also helps to cut down pre-flight inspection time by displaying all systems data and alerting the crew when necessary. Besides, the helicopters supplied to India are equipped with the latest and more powerful engines, which will greatly enhance its payload carriage capability at higher altitudes, characteristic of the Indian landscape.

As recently announced, Russia and India have started to implement a large project aimed to manufacture of no less than 200 light multirole Ka-226T helicopters. According to documents signed by the governments of the two countries, no less than 200 of the Ka-226T helicopters and their modifications will be manufactured in India. The agreement also includes maintenance, operation, repairs of helicopters and provision of technical support.

In addition, the Indian Air Force is planning to order another 48 Mi-17V-5 helicopters. These new helicopters will be used for flights over various landscapes, in deserts as well as in mountainous regions.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the last of the Mil Mi-17V-5 'Hip' medium-lift platforms it ordered from Russian Helicopters, ahead of the expected signing soon of a contract for more, it was announced on 2 February.

Delivery of this final batch of the 151 Mi-17V-5 helicopters for India marks the end of a procurement programme launched in 2008 (including 12 ordered for India's paramilitary forces). In July 2015, the IAF announced its intention to procure 48 additional platforms, but it has yet to sign a contract.

Produced by JSC Kazan Helicopters through Rosoboronexport, the Mi-17V-5s fielded by India are among the most advanced variants of the 'Hip' helicopter family. They are equipped with more powerful engines for 'hot and high' conditions (the IAF has employed them to sustain Indian Army formations deployed along the 6.4 km-high Siachen glacier in the Himalayas) and the KNEI-8 avionics suite that replaces the previous analogue cockpit with modern digital instrumentation.

India has also issued a request for information for its fleet to be fitted with an advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite that comprises radar warning receivers (RWRs), missile approach warning systems (MAWS), and countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDS).

A growing mission for the IAF is humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR), and the service is looking to procure the additional helicopters specifically to give it more capacity in this role. In 2013 one of the Mi-17V-5 helicopters was lost while participating in rescue operations in the flood-affected north of India, killing five.
While most of the delivered Mi-17V-5 helicopters have been weaponised, it is not clear if the additional 48 will be.

Kazan Helicopters produces Mi-8/17 series helicopters that are operated in over 100 countries worldwide. A wide range of configurations are produced: transport, passenger, search and rescue, landing and transport, among many others. Preparations are underway to launch production of the Mi-38 passenger transport helicopter. Since 1997, Kazan Helicopters has been certified to develop helicopter technology: today the light twin-engine Ansat helicopter is in series production.

Russian Helicopters demonstrated its newest multipurpose helicopters during the 4th Bahrain International Airshow – 2016 at Sakhir Air Base, Bahrain. The holding company not only showcased its products and capabilities in after-sales service for helicopters produced by Russian Helicopters but also conducted negotiations with current operators and potential buyers from North Africa, Near and Middle East.

One of the key focuses during negotiations was the development of an integrated after-sale service system and ensuring quick first-rate services for helicopters throughout their entire life cycle. The fleet of Soviet/Russian-made helicopters in Near and Middle Eastern countries today exceeds 500 civil and military aircrafts. The possibility to conduct timely maintenance and repairs in the target region would allow local operators to achieve better operability of helicopters and cut costs.

The Mi-171A2 helicopter, the successful heir of the most popular Mi-8/17 series of medium helicopters, has significantly better specs for consumers. With VK-2500PS-03 engines developed by Klimov, APU Safir that ensures engine start at heights up to 6,000 m, advanced aerodynamics of the main rotor’s composite blades, and the X-shaped anti-torque rotor, this helicopter has better speed performance, lifting capacity, enhanced capabilities in mountain areas, at high temperatures and humidity, and lower operational expenses. The helicopter’s ability to operate in adverse weather conditions, day and night, in mountain areas and above water is ensured by its new avionics, including the KBO-17 integrated open-architecture flight and navigation system and advanced automatic control system which allows piloting in automatic, automated and manual modes. High automation level makes it possible to use crews with just two members. At the present time, a flight test program with two prototypes is underway.

The Ansat light helicopter with the largest cabin in its class, up to seven passenger seats, will be of substantial interest to the airshow visitors. Certification of its VIP variant with five seats and an air-conditioning system makes the helicopter attractive for corporate and private customers. The cabin has shock-absorbing seats and vibration-reducing armrests. For additional passenger comfort there are also flight kits with active noise reduction. With the use of quick-detach equipment kits, Ansat can be quickly refit for a wide range of tasks including transportation of cargo and passengers, search and rescue operations, and medevac missions.

Russian Helicopters will also feature its multipurpose Ka-32A11BC model, which is capable of solving a variety of tasks, from cargo transportation internally and on an external sling to patrolling, search and rescue operations, and firefighting. The availability of quick-detach equipment kits makes it possible to quickly adapt the helicopter for the operator’s tasks. The Ka-32A11BC is certified according to international standards; one of its main features is the ability to operate day and night in adverse weather conditions, above land and water. The helicopter is designed to land on unprepared and unpaved landing pads, with air temperatures up to + 45°С.

The Ka-226T helicopter has a unique set of features that make it indispensable for operations on small pads, including mountainous areas. Due to its excellent maneuverability, small size, absence of the antitorque rotor and high power-to-weight ratio, the helicopter is capable of performing transportation and special tasks under rough conditions. In addition to the above, its low noise level and compliance with modern and future environmental requirements make it possible to use the Ka-226T over densely populated areas.