Russia and China to Develop Heavy Lift Helicopter

Russian Helicopters, June 25, 2016 - Beijing - Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, will cooperate with the Chinese state company AVICOPTER to develop the AHL (Advanced Heavy Lift) heavy helicopter.

A corresponding intergovernmental agreement was signed by the Russian and Chinese parties in Beijing in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“China is our oldest strategic military and technical partner, and we are happy that our cooperation has extended to the civil sector. Joint development of the civilian advanced heavy helicopter by our company and AVICOPTER will not only contribute to the further development of cooperation with the Chinese party in high-tech sectors, but also to the strengthening of friendly ties between Russia and China in general,” said Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev. Russian Helicopters has unique competence to create heavy helicopters and is ready to assist our Chinese partners to implement this project.”

According to the document, the Russian and Chinese parties will jointly develop the advanced heavy helicopter for its subsequent serial production in China, aiming to meet the demand at the Chinese market. Russian Helicopters will contribute its technologies to the project and will also provide technical parameters as well as develop individual AHL systems on the contractual base.

The Chinese side will be responsible for the organization and implementation of the AHL program in general, including engineering design, creation of prototypes, performance of tests, certification, preparation and serial production, as well as market promotion and general coordination of activities.

Russian Helicopters, (part of State Corporation Rostec), is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. In 2015 its IFRS revenues increased 29,5% to RUB 220,0 billion. Deliveries reached 212 helicopters.