Potential customers from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia can learn about functionality of brand new Мi-171A2 and Ansat helicopters during their demonstration tour through Southeast Asia. The first demonstration of the new products by Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) will be held on November 16 in Vietnam.
Мi-171A2 and Ansat helicopters finished their participation in Airshow China 2018, an international exhibition which took place in Zhuhai (China) on November 6-11. The helicopters were displayed statically, and demonstration flights were arranged as part of the airshow flight program. Recently, both machines flew to Hanoi (Vietnam), where they are prepared to demonstration flights.
“Following Airshow China, I can note that interest in Russian helicopters increases significantly, especially after their participation in the exhibition’s flight program. Russian Helicopters has reliable partner relationships with Southeast Asian countries, so we expect that the demonstration of Mi-171A2 and Ansat helicopters’ functionality will allow us not only to hold meaningful negotiations with potential customers, but also to sign soft contracts for these machines,” said Andrey Boginsky, CEO of Russian Helicopters.
He added that, generally, Southeast Asian operators highly appreciated helicopters made in Russia, especially for firefighting, as well as transport and building and assembly work in hard-to-reach areas. Also, Russian Helicopters rapidly develops the service center infrastructure in the region. Helitechco, a Russia-Vietnam joint venture, has operated since 1994. It repaired over 80 civil helicopters of state and commercial customers from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, India, Australia and New Zeeland. Helitechco is the only repair service in Southeast Asia where professionals from Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant monitor the repair processes.
In February 2018, a memorandum of intent was signed with a Thai company Datagate. Assistance on arranging a service center for maintenance of Russian helicopters in Thailand is among areas of cooperation mentioned in the document. This center is expected to provide with routine and repair operations, troubleshooting, and replacement of components. Additionally, parties determined a capacity for supply of replacement parts and repairing assemblies for civil helicopters under stand-alone contracts.
