Article Posted on : - Feb 07, 2011

Kamov Ka-226 twin-engined light utility helicopter

MOSCOW (PTI): Russian defence firm Oboronprom has identified India as its strategic partner and is ready to forge a long-term partnership with the country, according to a top company official.

"Russian Helicopters Holding combining all the helicopter plants under the Oboronprom roof is to display its latest models at the Aero India 2011 show in Bangalore beginning on February 9," Andrei Reus, CEO of Oboronprom Corporation, which specialises in the manufacture of helicopters and aircraft engines, told PTI.

He said India has a huge potential for the civilian and military rotor aircraft and Russia is going to display its multi-role light helicopter Kamov Ka-226T, medium haul Mi-17 class, all weather Kamov Ka -32A11BC and heavy lift Mi-26T2 civilian helicopters at the Bangalore air show.

The Night Hunter Mil M-28NE helicopter gunship is expected to attract interest at the air show as it has been already inducted by the Russian Army.

Reus, an economics graduate from the Moscow State University, has held several key posts in the past including the deputy minister for Industry and Energy.

He believes that Russian helicopters and the United (aircraft) Engines have a great market potential in India, including in the joint production and export of cutting edge technology to other countries.

Reus said business growth in India is impossible without removing the hurdle of after sales service and Oboronprom has thus set up a service centre for Russian organ helicopters in Greater Noida, near New Delhi.

Besides Russian Helicopters, Oboronprom also combines the United Engines Corporation incorporating all the aircraft engine plants of Russia, including the Ufa engine plant, which has transferred sensitive technology for the production of engines for the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighters under the Tot deal.

Reus said Oboronprom has managed to overcome the trauma of the Soviet collapse and is ready to compete with its western partners at par.

"Currently we are developing the engine for the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) to be jointly produced by India and Russia, we have also at advanced stages in the development of a new engine for the Indo-Russian muli-role transport aircraft (MTA) and Russia's MS-21 airliner," he said.