Russian Helicopters, together with Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Company, successfully completed the testing of the light multirole helicopter Ka-226T in Iran in Aug.–Sept. 2017.
The results confirmed the usability of the rotary wing aircraft in extremely high temperature, Rostec, a Russian state corporation promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech industrial products for civil and defense sectors, said in a press release dispatched to Financial Tribune.
The tests were performed within the memorandum signed this May by JSC Russian Helicopters (affiliated to Rostec) and IHSRC at the international exhibition HeliRussia. The objective of those tests was to prove the usability of Ka-226T at ambient temperatures of up to +50°C.
“Several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, are interested in light multirole helicopters for firefighting, patrolling, evacuation and medical tasks. The accomplished tests of Ka-226T proved that the helicopter can operate in critical temperatures, which is definitely important for potential users. I hope that we will soon reach a number of agreements regarding supplies of these helicopters,” said Andrey Boginsky, CEO of Russian Helicopters.
Iran, itself a manufacturer of helicopters, has expressed interest in joint production with other countries.
In a ceremony held in March, Iran unveiled its Saba 248 helicopter–a multi-purpose chopper designed in the light- and mid-weight classes, that has two engines and four rotors and the capacity to carry eight crew members.
Saba 248 can be used for transporting cargos and passengers, relief and rescue, reconnaissance and offshore missions, taking images and working as an air ambulance and air taxi.
Back in August, Iran’s deputy roads and urban development minister, Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan, said the Iranian government is in talks with the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to purchase 45 helicopters.
“The Health Ministry is planning to order 45 HEMS [Helicopter Emergency Medical Service] helicopters and the purchase is being negotiated by the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development,” he said.
Fakhrieh-Kashan noted that Iran is holding negotiations to merge the helicopter order into the Iran Air-Airbus contract signed in December.
“Ports and Maritime Organization is also planning to hold a tender to purchase three search-and-rescue helicopters,” he said.
The light multirole helicopter Ka-226T has a coaxial main twin-rotor system, its maximum takeoff weight is 3.6 tons and it is able to transport up to 1 ton of payload.
The main distinctive feature of the helicopter is its modular design–a transport cabin that can carry up to six people, or modules with special equipment can be easily installed on Ka-226T.
Russian Helicopters is the only developer and manufacturer of helicopters in Russia.
Established in 2007, the holding company comprises five helicopter plants, two design bureaus, enterprises for production and maintenance of components, aircraft repair plants and a service company providing after-sales support in Russia and abroad.
In 2016, the revenue of Russian Helicopters under IFRS amounted to RUB 214.3 billion ($3.7 billion), its shipments totaled 189 helicopters.
Rostec Corporation is a Russian corporation that was established in 2007 to facilitate the development, production and export of high-tech industrial products designed for civilian and military applications.
The corporation comprises over 700 organizations that are currently part of 11 holding companies operating in the military-industrial complex and three holding companies working in civilian industry, as well as 80 directly managed organizations.
Rostec companies supply products to more than 70 countries. In 2016, its consolidated revenue reached 1.26 trillion rubles ($21.97 billion).
