aerobd.news : 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. Ansat is a light twin-engine multi-purpose helicopter massively produced by Kazan Helicopters. According to the certificate, the helicopter design allows transforming it into a freight or passenger version suitable for transportation of up to 7 people. High-altitude tests of Ansat have been successfully completed, which confirmed the possibility of its use in mountainous terrain at altitudes up to 3,500 meters. In August 2018, the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) gave Kazan Helicopters an approval for the main change in increasing the capacity of several assemblies and systems of Ansat based on the results of certification, which makes the helicopter more attractive for operators and potential customers.

The helicopter equipped with the medical module can be used to administer first aid and evacuate patients even in difficult terrain and remote areas with lack of transport accessibility. Moreover, the Ansat medical module provides for patient resuscitation, intensive therapy and continuous monitoring of the injured persons’ vital functions during their transportation to hospital. Mi-171A2 is the latest modification of Мi-8/17/171 helicopters. The helicopter is equipped with VK-2500PS-03 engines with a digital control system, as well as with more efficient X-shaped anti-torque rotor and an updated lifting rotor with composite blades and a refined airfoil section. The cruise and maximum speeds of the Mi-171A2 helicopter are 10 percent higher and the payload capacity is 25 percent greater than that of the mass-produced Mi-8/17 helicopter. The helicopter can be used successfully day and night, in high altitude, extreme temperatures, high humidity and over water. Mi-171A2 is equipped with KBO-17 digital on-board glass cockpit equipment suite, including both the aircraft navigation system and the data display general helicopter equipment system, which allowed to reduce the crew up to two members. Video cameras improved the view while operating with external load. The safety level was increased due to using terrain awareness warning and collision warning systems. The helicopter provides passenger transportation and is available in transport, passenger, and VIP versions.