The Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec State Corporation) and the Chinese company United Aviation Technology have negotiated about establishing a maintenance and repair center for Russian helicopters in Shenzhen, China, as part of Airshow China 2018. The contract is to be signed by the end of the year.
In February 2016 the holding company signed a framework agreement with CITIC Offshore Helicopters, AVIC International and Avicopter (which have formed the Chinese joint venture United Aviation Technology).
The framework agreement allows for creating a maintenance and repair center for Russian helicopter types Ka-32A11VS and Mi-171 in Shenzhen. The Chinese party also expressed interest in upgrading the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) base in Tianjin to carry out similar work.
“Currently, Russian Helicopters and United Aviation Technology are considering the draft general contract for creating a maintenance and repair center for the Ka-32А11VC and Mi-171 helicopters in Shenzhen and the draft contract for technical audit at the aircraft maintenance and repair base in Tianjin,” said Russian Helicopters’ CEO Andrey Boginsky. “At Airshow China we had another round of negotiations in order to sign both documents before the end of the year.”
He added that China has a large fleet of Russian helicopters. Thus, the Chinese side is interested in prompt opening of authorized maintenance and repair centers in the country. This will allow providing qualified services for helicopters throughout their life cycle.
“China is one of the largest operators of Russian-made helicopters; the number of registered Russian aircraft is over 300 units,” said Anatoly Serdyukov, industrial director of the aviation cluster of Rostec. “Mi-8/17 and Ka-32A11BC helicopters are successfully operated throughout the PRC, in particular, in regions with difficult terrain and harsh climate conditions.
“The creation of a center for maintenance and repair of Ka-32A11BC and Mi-171 helicopters in Shenzhen is an essential infrastructure project that will increase the competitiveness and export potential of our helicopter technology. We expect to sign a contract before the end of the year.”
